By Aaron J. Frantz
Youngstown State University Greek chapters are preparing for their annual group service projects. Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Zeta Tau Alpha are two of the many Greek organizations raising money for their respective charities.
Bronson Deangelo, SAE Philanthropy chairman, is responsible for planning the fraternity’s yearly group service project. Sticking with SAE tradition, he said he has organized a project that has been successful in past years.
“Every year we have an event called Grilled Cheese with the SAE,” he said. “Essentially, we make grilled cheese sandwiches and everyone on campus is welcomed to buy some or order some and we give all that money back to Akron Children’s Hospital.”
Emma James, ZTA chairperson for Pink Ribbon, has the responsibility of organizing the sorority’s annual group service project. This service project is coming to an end after a 20-year run.
“We host an annual event called The Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic with local high schools’ cheer programs to help educate and bring awareness to breast cancer,” she said. “We did not have the event last year due to COVID-19, so instead, we just did a video documentary of the history of the event. But this year, we are excited to go out with a bang.”
Deangelo will implement something from last year’s service project that should help the fraternity.
“Last year because of COVID, we held it at the Newman Center and we did not take cash. Instead, we used CashApp and Venmo, which made it an easier way to do a transaction with the pandemic going on,” he said.
James said this year’s competition pool will be a bit smaller than normal to make it as safe as possible.
“We are going to cut it off at 40 teams, and normally we have more than that, we just want to do it in the safest way possible especially since there are going to be breast cancer survivors in attendance so we do not want to put them in any danger,” James said.
“Everything we are doing is for the safety of everybody and we just want to make it as best as we can since it is the last event.”
SAE will have grilled cheese stands spread throughout campus in upcoming months cooking up sandwiches. ZTA’s group service project will be held Oct. 24 at Beeghly Center. The start time is yet to be determined.
Carrie Anderson, associate director of Student Activities, is the primary executive for all Greek life service project activities. She actively supports these kind acts during rough times.
“Though this pandemic continues, it is so important for our organizations to give back to our communities that are hurting during this time,” Anderson said. “Raising awareness and money for their philanthropic causes and doing service in the community is where their hearts are.”
Anderson said even though things may be altered to ensure safety, the end results are still the same-to help those in need while making a difference in the Youngstown community.