Hundreds of University students involved in fraternities and sororities gathered in Columbia Hall on Sunday night to begin Derby Days, three days of contests and fundraisers that raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network in Eugene.
The annual Derby Days is organized by Sigma Chi fraternity and involves the participation of eight sororities and the voluntary participation of other fraternities.
Lasting until Wednesday, Derby Days involves daily fundraising drives and nightly contests between the sororities and Sigma Chi.
The events raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network at Sacred Heart Medical Center, which provides medical equipment and related services to infants and children throughout the five counties served by the center.
Children’s Miracle Network Program Coordinator Karen Warner said 170 hospitals across the United States and Canada make up the network.
Last year, Derby Days raised $6,000 for Children’s Miracle Network, but the fraternity is hoping to raise at least $10,000 this year, which is close to what it has raised in the past, said Philanthropy Chairman and Sigma Chi member Marshall Ball. The largest amount of money raised at Derby Days was $13,000 in 2002, he said.
Ball said each event is free and open to the public, and that donations will be accepted at each event.
The first major fundraising event today is the Sigma Chi auction at 7:30 p.m. in Gerlinger Hall. At the auction, Sigma Chi members will perform sketch comedy, dances and songs.
After each group performs, they will be auctioned off to participating sororities. The group will be required to work for the winning sorority for a day.
“Usually it’s small things, like we’ll go over and help them clean up the house or cook for them,” said Sigma Chi member Aaron Atkins, a junior. “We do heavy labor, but it’s usually not that much. It’s fair.”
On Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., Sigma Chi will host a barbecue on the lawn in front of Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, and food will be available to the public in exchange for a donation.
Representatives from each sorority will compete against each other in a tournament with EA Sports’ new boxing game “Fight Night Round 3” for the Xbox 360 in 180 PLC. People in attendance are invited to try the game in between each tournament.
The closing ceremonies for Derby Days will be held on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Gerlinger Hall. Members from each sorority, with assistance from members of Sigma Chi, will compete against each other in a group dance competition.
Sophomore and Delta Gamma member Jennifer Combs said that her sorority has been working on a hip-hop dance routine of rap artist Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control.”
“We’ve had practices the last two days, and it’s coming together really well,” Combs said. “All the guys practice on their own, and we’ve had a really good turn out. There’s about 25 of us doing it.”
Sororities are awarded points after each competition, and 5 percent of the money raised will go to a charity of the winning sorority’s choice.
In addition to each nightly event, the fraternities and sororities will raise money throughout Derby Days with clothing sales, penny drives and door-to-door collections. Clothing sales and donation centers will be set up in front of the University Bookstore and Lillis Business Complex.
Ball said that in past years Sigma Chi raised money exclusively within the greek system, but this year the fraternity is reaching out more to the faculty and students to raise money.
“This year, the guys are really excited and working hard to help out the girls,” Atkins said. “We’re really hoping that the whole greek community, as well as the whole student community, decides to get involved.”
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