Delta Sigma Phi fraternity members think they have finally found a philanthropy fundraiser that will contribute substaintially more money to the American Red Cross than they have in the past.
Each Greek chapter has its own philanthropy that it supports, and throughout the year the chapter will hold events to raise money for them. Some of the more well-known events are Sigma Chi’s Derby Days for the Make A Wish Foundation, Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash to raise money for Service for Sight, and Gamma Phi Beta’s Crescent Classic to support Girls on the Run, among many others.
But Delta Sigma Phi have struggled throughout the years to find a solid philanthropy event like the ones mentioned that they could get their brotherhood behind, says president Jon Workman.
“In the past few years that I’ve been a member, we’ve struggled in finding a mainstay,” Workman said. “We’ve been trying to find our niche in the market, you could say.”
Workman says that they tried events such as haunted houses, scavenger hunts and soccer tournaments to raise funds for the American Red Cross, but they weren’t getting the response or participation that they were looking for, Workman said.
While searching for another event, the fraternity found the answer in an unexpected place.
Workman says that at least a decade ago, Delta Sigs raised money through a car smash event. They would bring old cars to their house, and let people smash them up for money. After realizing this, Delta Sigma Phi didn’t look any further – they decided to attempt the smash event.
Luke Lundstrom, fundraising chair, took on the daunting task of trying to create yet another event for the fraternity that would hopefully be successful. What was even more daunting? Lundstrom is a freshman, and his predecessor was a senior. He had to do something his more experienced predecessors couldn’t do–find a fundraiser that would stick.
Lundstrom said that he was able to get three free cars from B & R Auto Wrecking, which kept the overall cost for the event very low. The fraternity charged one dollar per sledgehammer hit, and in their first year attempting the event, they raised about 750 dollars.
Workman says that they even had unexpected community involvement.
“We got enough involvement from not only fraternities and sororities, but also the general campus community that it’s something that we do want to continue,” Workman said.
Brotherhood Chairman Drew Forrest said that despite Lundstrom being a freshman who proceeded a senior in the position, he attains great leadership qualities that lead to this event being a success.
Forrest also says that it was an event that all members wanted to be a part of.
“It was something that everyone invested themselves into,” Forrest said. “It’s an attractive idea and I think that’s something that made it really successful.”
The fraternity says that they want to continue this event in the future, but continue to add to it in hope of raising as much money possible for the American Red Cross and officially make this their annual philanthropy fundraiser.