Blood drive reflects Greek ideals

Erica Terrini

News Editor

In an effort to uphold the foundations and commitment to community service of many fraternities and sororities, the Fraternities and Sororities Leadership Team sponsored a blood drive Tuesday in the University Student Commons.

Stephen Straws, chapter president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon said the leadership team encourages all fraternities, sororities and community members to participate in the events for Greek Week 2010, which include community cleanups and a fundraiser for Haiti relief efforts.

“It’s a great thing to do,” Straws said. “Just to know you’re helping out people that really need blood makes it a worthy cause.”

Raj Dhillon, president for the Interfraternity Council said the blood drives are hosted monthly in the University Student Commons.

Many student organizations will work with Virginia Blood Services to sponsor the drives, Dhillon said. The fraternities and sororities have incorporated the drive as a competition for Greek Week.

“You have an event everyday and it’s supposed to incorporate the ideals of fraternity and sorority life,” Dhillon said. “It’s supposed to involve a lot of philanthropy and a lot of community service—that’s what you can really see in the blood drive.”

The fraternity or sorority with the highest number of participants for the week’s events will receive recognition as Greek champions of the year and will be able to donate a portion of the funds raised from Greek Week events to an organization of their choice in their name.

Andrew Worley, a sophomore homeland security major and Alpha Kappa Lambda member participated in the drive.

“I’m able to help people out so I might as well do it. It’s for a good cause,” Worley said. “Especially since it’s during Greek Week and I’m Greek. It’s a good time to come out and show my support.”

Dhillon said the drive aimed to include a large amount of participants, Greek and non-Greek alike.

“We’re actually reaching out to a part of the student body that’s not greek as well,” Dhillon said. “We try and get as many people as we can to come out to (the drive). So it’s not just a Greek thing, it’s also involving a lot of the student body.”

Sidney Raskind, a junior English major said he tries to donate as much as possible.

“When I started donating I just liked doing it,” Raskind said. “I really wish more people did.”

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