Formal galas, 5K fun runs and ice bucket challenges do not seem to have much in common at face value, but they are all brought together at Ashland University through the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) members.

At the heart of each Greek chapter is a philanthropic cause that the members support. While philanthropy is often not the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the term ‘Greek Life,’ it has become a focal point for each chapter on campus.

From ALS and military heroes to the Ronald McDonald house and cardiac care, there are a multitude of causes served by the seven different FSL chapters.

Kappa Sigma
The brothers of Kappa Sigma are celebrating the brave men and women who fight for the United States through the Military Heroes Campaign, which helps both veterans and those who are currently serving.

The main event that supports the campaign is Mile in a Soldiers shoes which is coming up in April.

“We take our backpacks and we put 20-pound sandbags in and we walk around campus,” Seth Ho, philanthropy chair of Kappa Sigma said. “We try to get people to donate to that as well and I think it’s for each mile you do, you [raise] a certain amount of money.”

In addition, the brothers are currently putting together a care package for a former member of the chapter and his squadron while they are stationed in El Paso.

Ho says this cause is dear to him and he and his brothers want to do “anything we can to help them get home quicker or try and support them while they’re out there.”

Delta Theta
A disease that has yet to find a cure, ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is the cause that the brothers of Phi Delta Theta dedicate themselves to supporting.

The brothers donate both their time and their money to the Live Like Lou foundation through events such as the ice bucket challenge and the Blue Tie Formal, which took place for the first-time last week and included a speaker and silent auction as well as games, activities and pictures.

“I decided, ‘you know what, let’s just do it,’” Zachary Kistler, philanthropy chairman of Phi Delta Theta said. “Some of the sororities on campus do balls and galas so we decided to do that. Hopefully it becomes a tradition.”

The funds from the ball go to the foundation, which is then dispersed to support families with members battling ALS, Kistler finished.

Alpha Phi
The Alpha Phi sisters are certainly taking on the mantra ‘women supporting women’ in their philanthropic pursuits which contribute to women’s cardiac health through the Alpha Phi Foundation.

In order to support the foundation, the chapter hosts numerous events such as cardiac care week, Mr. University and, most notably, the Red Dress Gala.

“That is just really fun because we get to bring family and friends,” Director of Philanthropy for Alpha Phi Emma Ruhe said. “They all come, and we get to explain our philanthropy…and then we get to have basket drawings.”

Mr. University is the next event being hosted by the chapter and is pageant that invites males from different organizations to compete for the title.

Ruhe is proud to be in the chapter and in the philanthropy position due to the emotional impact that heart health has had in her family.

“I’ve always wanted to find a way to help and donate money and be able to give back the best way I possibly can,” she concluded.

Delta Zeta
The sisters of Delta Zeta devote themselves to the cause of speech and hearing in order to help people with disabilities find the support they need.

The cause is one that is close to home for Delta Zeta Vice President of Philanthropy, Marissa Simmons.

“My brother actually has a speech impediment so that was kind of one of the driving forces [for] why I wanted to join because I could relate to the philanthropy in a personal way,” she said.

At the national level, the AU chapter of Delta Zeta donates to the Starkey Hearing Foundation which has helped children in over 100 countries. On the local level, they support the Mansfield Sertoma Club.

“It’s pretty cool to see how they’ve used what we’ve raised to impact those in the community,” Simmons said. “Were able to make a difference in other’s lives and were able to see it.”

The sisters raise money to support their charities through game show style events, a lift-a-thon and Chipotle fundraisers throughout the year.

Theta Phi Alpha
Ever loyal, ever lasting. The motto of Theta Phi Alpha unites its members in sisterhood with one another, but also encourages to be loyal to the causes they support.

The philanthropic values of Theta Phi Alpha are those that are devoted to combating homelessness for various different groups of people. The biggest way they do this is through their Sapphire Ball every January.

The money from ticket sales, auction baskets and raffles go to supporting camp friendship.

“[It’s] a camp down in Mississippi where kids from lower income, less fortunate areas are able to go and actually be kids and then they get to leave with supplies, toiletries, stuff like that,” said Kelsey Miller, philanthropy chair of Theta Phi Alpha.

Additionally, they host Hope for the Homeless week that donates money to a different anti-homelessness cause each day.

“For example, this past year we raised money for True Colors United which is a charity that aims to end homelessness within the LGBTQ+ youth community. We also raised money to aid homeless veterans [and] homeless children.”

Phi Kappa Psi
Keeping their philanthropy close to home and close to their hearts, the brothers of Phi Kappa Psi give their time and efforts to Camp Nuhop, a local camp for children with disabilities.

To support the camp, the brothers host a couple of notable events throughout the year, starting with ‘Get Yolked’ during homecoming weekend in the fall.

“We get eggs thrown at us through a fence right before the homecoming game,” Phi Kappa Psi Philanthropy Chair Taylor Bunce said. The proceeds from purchasing eggs are given to the camp.

Their other premiere event is coming up on April 30 and is the ‘Phi-Silent’ Auction which also donates its funds to the camp’s children who are searching for summertime fun.

“Our main motto is ‘the great joy of serving others’ and that’s something we really look for in people who join the chapter,” Bunce said. “We want to not just do stuff for ourselves but do stuff for others and this is a good place where we can go and help out.”

Also devoting their time to children in need are the sisters of Alpha Delta Pi who raise money throughout the year to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Cleveland.

“Ronald McDonald House supports families that have kids that are sick, and they give them a free place to stay, a free meal [and] just low cost everything while they’re helping their kids through treatments,” said Kaylee Reed, director of philanthropy for Alpha Delta Pi said.

For the sisters, the cause is very close to home, especially for Reed. Alpha Delta Pi’s philanthropy was the driving force behind her decision to join the chapter.

“My brother was actually sick when he was little and my parents had stayed at a Ronald McDonald House,” she said. “It just holds a really close place in our heart as a family.”

In order to support the house, the sisters host an event every fall, with the most previous event being a 5K charity walk, as well as their silent auction on April 24 which brings in the majority of their fundraising.