SDSU Greek life gives back to San Diego community

With more than 4,000 San Diego State University students involved in 44 sororities and fraternities on campus, SDSU Greek Life organizations are able to make a significant impact in the community through their philanthropic efforts.

“I think that it is so important for Greek life to give back to the community because we are huge organizations that have a big platform on campus,” said Faith O’Neil, the fundraising director of Kappa Alpha Theta. “I believe we should use the platform that comes with Greek life to help out the community around us.”

Along with supporting the San Diego community, Taylor Cloutier, the vice president of Philanthropy for the College Panhellenic Association, says service also shapes participants into stronger individuals.

“Giving back is something that not only serves those around you but also makes you learn how to give yourself up for the betterment of others,” said Cloutier. “Service helps increase your social awareness of the challenges facing those around you in your local community or on a larger scale, so it is important for members of Greek life to give back in order to support those who are less fortunate and in turn create a stronger sense of community within sororities and fraternities and beyond.”

Each sorority or fraternity dedicates their fundraising proceeds to a different organization. Foundations supported include Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, Circle of Sisterhood, Huntsman Cancer Research, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

The efforts of many SDSU Greek life students has meant awards and a good feeling of giving back to the community. (Photo credit: Ava Guerra)

Through fundraising events, Greek organizations have been able to make significant donations to these organizations.

“Last semester we held an event called Rock the CASA,” said O’Neil. “We had three local bands come out and perform and we sold tickets to raise money. This was a huge event and we raised over $10,000.”

All proceeds from “Rock the CASA” went to Voices for Children of San Diego, whose goal is to promote and support court-appointed volunteer advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Other fundraising activities included dance marathons, carnivals, food sales, concerts, and clothing drives.

“As a chapter, we found huge success from our efforts and saw the direct impact we had on the local San Diego Community,” said Ava Guerra, the vice president of Philanthropy for Alpha Gamma Delta. “Through our chapter events that we hosted, we were able to fundraise over $3,000 in a few short weeks.”

These proceeds helped fight hunger in San Diego, earning Alpha Gamma Delta the 2022 Award of Excellence and 2022 Engagement Award for their significant contributions to SDSU’s “Aztecs Rock Hunger” initiative.

Sororities and fraternities will be continuing to host philanthropic events throughout the academic year to raise donations for their foundations.

– Natali Gonzalez is an MA student in rhetoric and writing studies at San Diego State University. See more of her work at: thedailyaztec.com/staff/_name/natali-gonzalez/.