Published by the Daily Athenaeum, April 2, 2017
The cold, rainy weather didn’t stop Greek members from giving back to the community over the weekend.
The WVU Office of Greek Life and WVU Center for Service and Learning sponsored its second annual Big Greek Day of Service. More than 800 fraternity and sorority members came together on Saturday to provide hands-on community service to sites throughout the area.
With 15 different sites chosen throughout the Monongalia and Preston counties, Greek members spread out in teams to focus on specific tasks.
“My group focused on a movie night that was in coordination with Mason-Dixon Historical Park and Dr. Oppe’s Strategic Communications 459 capstone class,” said Kaitlin Davis, a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. “They hosted a movie night for local residents, and my group was in charge of making sure the park was all set up, running concessions and helping out in other areas as needed.”
Participants could sign up for the morning shift, which lasted from 9 a.m. to noon, or the afternoon shift from noon to 3 p.m. To begin their projects, members met on the Mountainlair Green and split into groups before traveling to locations via buses provided.
“I, personally, went with a group of around 20 to 25 to North Elementary School and did some landscaping work,” said Doug Ernest, a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. “I know other groups went to Falling Run Trail to pick up trash and lay down mulch. Some went to the core arboretum and various other locations around Morgantown.
“Anything that benefits both the community and also sheds a positive light on Greek life is something that every person in Greek life should take seriously,” Ernest added. “Everyone in my group had that mentality. We did the work with a smile on our face and I didn’t notice anyone slacking off or not contributing.”
Erin Drummond 