The week of Oct. 8-12 was action-packed for members of the ETSU chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity as they worked to raise funds to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
According to Lance Weeden, public relations officer for Sigma Chi, the fraternity had collected about $3,000 for the charity prior to Derby Days, the annual week-long event that is the focal point of the fund-raising activities.
There was a Monday evening cookout at the Sigma Chi house to kickoff the week’s activities, which included pie-throwing, plinko events, and a dunking booth.
Sororities on campus got involved with the week-long Penny Wars, an event where each sorority collected loose change in jars located near the post office.
“The idea is, if someone puts in a dollar bill, the sorority has to take out 100 pennies,” Weeden said. “At the end of the week, the group with the most pennies left wins.”
On Saturday, Sigma Chi again joined forces with the sororities on campus to do landscaping and other tasks for Girls Inc., an organization that benefits underprivileged young girls.
“Our events have definitely improved this year because of interaction with other groups,” said Eric Miramontes of Sigma Chi. “We raised about $3,000 in September with a golf tournament.”
Sigma Chi has not yet officially counted the money collected during Derby Days, but they hope to have reached their goal of $2,000.
Though Derby Days is over, the fraternity will continue to sell $2 Subway coupons for a free six-inch sub.
“We have until April to turn in the money we’ve collected for the year,” Miramontes said. “We are a nonprofit organization, so all the money we get goes totally towards charity.”
Derby Days was named for a long-standing tradition in which derbies, or hats, are hidden across campus for sorority members to find. Sororities earn “points” by participating in fund-raising events and finding the hidden derbies.
“After all these years, the name has just stuck,” Weeden said.
Sigma Chi chose the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) as its national philanthropy approximately 10 years ago at its grand council, with the view that it is difficult to enjoy the spirit of youth when youth itself is in jeopardy.
Founded in 1983, CMN helps treat nearly 14 million kids a year through its 170 affiliated hospitals. If you are interested in donating money to the CMN, please contact Sigma Chi at 967-3464.

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