Viansa Bastidas

Staff Writer 

Each year, a group of fraternity brothers get together to raise money for cancer research by dying or shaving their hair. With colors ranging from pink, red, blue and green, these men use events as such to promote their philanthropy work.

March celebrates International Greek Month, which is a time when fraternities and sororities across the nation honor traditions by hosting various events and games throughout the month. Delta Chi is one of four fraternities on campus that is actively participating in Greek life year-round.

Two major philanthropy events they host is their Shave-A-Delta and Dye-A-Chi. Many of the members enjoy doing these types of fundraising events every fall semester because all the proceeds they raise goes directly into cancer research. Delta Chi attempts to raise $4,000 each year to contribute to cancer research.

“One of the brothers got so excited when we announced we were doing Dye-A-Chi again that he had dyed his hair bright pink before we even announced the date to the public.”

Joseph Merkel, 21, majoring in Business Management, is the President of Delta Chi. Making his mission for the fraternity to be heavily surrounding philanthropy work for the community. He uses these events to demonstrate their versatility with the local community.

A new way Delta Chi participated this year to further their philanthropy cause was by spending the day with a local nursing home in East Stroudsburg. They played games such as Bingo and various card games as they sat with the elderly and gave them company for the day.

Another fond memory Merkel talked about was Delta Chi’s annual pig roast. This time is spent together with local and active members of Delta Chi, where they all play games and bring a variety of food. Each year, the brothers try to get a pig to roast but each year they either forget or can’t get one in time but still use the day to connect with one another.

“It’s cool to have fun and hang out with the brothers,” said Merkel. “ I’m definitely gonna miss the guys when I graduate, it’s gonna suck. I know all of them like the back of my hand.”

Another philanthropy-type event that Delta Chi participates in is the Mr. Greek contest, held each year by the sororities. The fraternities also host their own Ms. Greek annually as well.

Mr./Ms. Greek is a pageant-like contest where one member from each fraternity/sorority participates in various rounds of beauty, skill and talent to win the title of Mr. or Ms. Greek. These events take place during the spring semester, making it a great way to end the school year with bits of fun and games. Greek month is a significant way for collegiate fraternities and sororities to host their own events to raise money and embrace each other with special events such as Mr./Ms. Greek.

Even with Greek Week being pushed to April, Merkel and the other members of Delta Chi are very excited to keep hosting their signature fundraising events and raise money for their chapter.