December 18, 2000
Providing toys for underprivileged children, feeding the less fortunate and
collecting clothes for the homeless are just a few of the activities Montclair
State's Greek organizations participate in during the holiday season.
Although all 35 fraternities and sororities must perform at least two community
service projects each semester, the Greeks' acts of kindness have become more
a volunteer effort from the heart than a requirement. "
This is the ideal time to help in the communities," said Kesha Drakeford, director
of sororities and fraternities. "We sponsor many organizations such as Toys
for Tots, and Coats for Kids, and we make holiday food baskets for the needy."
For Thanksgiving, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity held a clothing and food drive,
and next weekend Delta Phi Epsilon sorority will deliver food baskets to needy
families in Paterson. And when it comes to helping children, all the Greeks
are quick to lend a hand. "We help many organizations for children, such as
the Robbie Page Memorial for children with polio," said Michelle Hirsch, representative
of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. "We also visit hospitals, such as St. Barnabas
and St. Joseph's, and make crafts with children."
Members of Phi Sigma Pi fraternity will spend time this holiday season lifting
sick children's spirits as they help fill Christmas stockings at local hospitals.
"Students pick projects based on things they know, communities they are familiar
with or would like to help, or groups they were involved with as children,"
Drakeford explained. "Many organizations, especially national ones, call the
sororities and fraternities looking for volunteers. They are well aware of the
Greeks' commitment to community service."
Clothing and food drives are especially important during the holiday season.
For example, Delta Xi Delta sorority will be working with the Salvation Army
throughout December while Delta Sigma Theta makes sure the homeless won't go
hungry this holiday.
Throughout the school year, Greeks continue their work at homeless shelters,
senior citizen homes and battered women's shelters. They also participate in
walks and other events to raise money for research on cancer, AIDS and multiple
sclerosis.
The Greeks also don't mind traveling a distance to help others. Next week,
Delta Chi fraternity will feed the homeless in New York City and Delta Sigma
Theta sorority will host a Kwanza Celebration that can be seen at the New Jersey
Performing Arts Center on Dec. 16.
Montclair State's entire campus community displays its generosity, especially
during the holiday season. This is the 18th year the Newman Catholic Center
has collected toys and gifts for the children of East Orange. For Thanksgiving,
the Center, in collaboration with Campus Recreation, collected 444 pounds of
food for MEND (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity), which donated the food
to needy families throughout Essex County.