The Sigma Chi annual week of philanthropy known as Derby Days will kick off Monday, May 12 and run through Thursday, May 15.
“This is our largest single fraternity philanthropy event and our chance to give back to the community. We hope to get the whole campus involved,” said Sigma Chi President Brendan Kennedy ’09. “This year we are donating our money to Elephant in the Living Room, a grassroots organization calling attention to issues of domestic violence in the Capital Region.”
Founded in 1934 at the University of California-Berkley, Derby Days has raised more than $2 million by Sigma Chi chapters nationwide for numerous philanthropies.
“The goal is to get the sororities on campus to compete in events to raise money for a chosen charity,” said Christopher Altieri ’09, Sigma Chi philanthropy chair.
Scheduled events include a car wash at three places on campus Monday, May 12, 4-6 p.m.; a bachelor auction Tuesday, May 13; and American Idol-style karaoke night at Clinton’s Ditch in Schenectady Wednesday, May 14. On Thursday, May 15, the brothers will hold Sigfest, a concert and barbecue, at their house.
The Gamma Zeta Chapter of Sigma Chi chapter was formed at Union in 1923.
Last year, the fraternity raised more than $2,000 during Derby Days, a number the fraternity has already surpassed from solicitations at local businesses, Kennedy said.
For more information contact Kennedy at kennedyb@union.edu or altieric@union.edu.
To contribute, go to http://www.active.com/donate/gamazeta.