Greek Week is just around the corner for the many enthusiastic greek life members involved in a team.
Every year, Greek Week aims to raise money for American Cancer Society through Relay For Life, and also chooses to support three small, additional charities.
On Sunday, representatives from all greek houses decided on which charities needed their support the most. Camp Kesem, The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation and Team Caleb were all chosen based on popular vote among house representatives.
During Greek Week, teams compete against each other to see who can raise the most money for their assigned charity, according to MSU’s Greek Life Web page.
“The charities will receive (approximately) $2,500 and the big donation is going to go to the American Cancer Society,” Vineel Jonna, human biology senior and director of philanthropy said.
One of the charities, Camp Kesem, is a national non-profit organization built to help children with parents who are battling cancer. General management freshman Cameron Tinsley and directional coordinator of the MSU branch of Camp Kesem said it is a summer camp set up in Grand Haven, Michigan that runs activities for these children.
“It’s just a bunch of odds and ends, stuff you see at an everyday summer camp,” Tinsley said. “But our goal is not to bring up the word cancer, not to bring up anything of that sort, but just to kind of give these kids a week to ... be like a normal kid.”
Camp Kesem’s goal is to raise $80,000 this year, which is one reason why Tinsley turned to the greek community for help.
“It’s not just about the money,” Tinsley said. “It’s about how to get the word out to different people, even if it’s just one or two ... I think those few would be able to help us in giving back to our community.”
Jenna Kast’s Believe in Miracles Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants wishes for children suffering from a life-threatening illness, said founder and journalism junior Brett Kast. It grants wishes such as purchasing gifts, funding shopping sprees and planning family trips.
“(Greek Week) can really help us because an average wish costs us about two grand,” Kast said.
The charity Team Caleb was created for 18-month-old Caleb Post who was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, a cancerous brain tumor. Caleb has undergone five rounds of chemo and two brain surgeries.
His mother, Lisa Post, said she strives to raise awareness and provide information about children’s brain cancer so that people can start to consider ways they can help. Greek Week donations will help fund research for this illness.
Every chapter in the greek community participates in Greek Week, which consists of three nights of events.
In 2014 Jonna said Greek Week collected over $100,000 for Relay For Life.
