The Interfraternity Council made a significant donation to the United Way Fall term, contributing $2,370 to the charity organization.
The gift was part of the greater United Way drive, sponsored by the Order of Omega National Greek Honor Society. By the end of the year, the campus chapter of the Order of Omega said it hopes to donate $10,000 in total.
Contributions from Greek councils will comprise a substanital portion of the goal. The Panhellenic Council will most likely match the IFC's gift this term, according to Katherine Heyman '05, co-chair of the Order of Omega philanthropy project.
The Order of Omega, a Greek honor society, has left the format of the donations up to the leaders of the Greek councils, although an official competitive drive was initially planned.
"Last term, we thought that it would be a good idea to have a contest and give a prize to the Greek house that raised the most money for the campaign. Panhell, however, did not like the idea of a competition among the sororities so we decided against a contest," Heyman said.
Former IFC president Kyle Smith '04 said half of the money came from individual houses, and the other half came directly from the IFC.
"All I did last fall was sit down with the presidents and tell them that each house should seriously consider giving 100 dollars to the United Way, a worthy cause, and then the IFC would match whatever was donated," Smith said.
Heyman stressed the support the Order of Omega has received in carrying out this project.
"The Greek houses, resident halls, and class councils have been particularly helpful in planning and participating in events to raise money," Heyman said.
Heyman shares the project chair position with David Geenberg '05, who was unavailable for comment.
Although the money "thermometer" outside of Collis, representing the United Way efforts, has seen little shift this term, Smith said the goal is attainable.
"The $10,000 is very feasible if people would simply put forth the effort," Smith said, "We received money from all the fraternities and that knocked out about one-fourth of the goal."
Heyman said the donation will directly affect the greater community. "[It] is a wonderful organization that directly benefits the Upper Valley, and I am pleased with the students' high level of support for the campaign."
