Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Greek Week Guide

Students participate in Jefferson Fun Days in 2007. This year, participants in Greek Week 2009 will volunteer at Jefferson Elementary School. (File photo/The Daily Eastern News)

They may not wear spandex or have catch phrases, but as a part of Greek Week Charleston school children will have the chance to learn about their local heroes.

As part of the Greek Week service projects, the community service subcommittee planned a "Fun Day" at Jefferson Elementary School for Wednesday.

There will be relays, craft projects and, for the first time, an outdoor inflatable obstacle course at the "Fun Day."

As part of one of the relays, the students will be dressing up in uniforms donated from local heroes.

"We contacted the ROTC, Health Services, police department and the fire department, all who we consider local heroes, to donate different articles of clothing to use," said Meghan Matthies.

A Greek Week veteran, Matthies was a committee member last year and took on the role of the chair this year, with planning starting in December.

The superhero theme "we may stand out, but we never stand alone" for this year's celebration inspired her to make some changes in how the day and the other service events were structured.

A variety of indoor relays, an obstacle course and craft projects, which will be sent to St. Judes Children Hospital as part of the Greek philanthropy, are the main components that make up the daylong event.

Each chapter will have nine members participating throughout where they will be able to interact with fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Elise Ramsey, a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson has acted as the event liaison for the Greek Steering Committee for the past 10 years.

Ramsey, who is also an adviser for the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, said the super hero theme is good learning experience for the children.

"I think it's a good theme and anything like that with the kids being involved and learning about community service is a good thing," she added.

But the elementary students won't be the only ones having fun.

"I am looking forward to playing with the kids all day because I know how excited they get when the Eastern students come for a day to play with them," said Ally Dinkle, a member of the committee.

Besides the day at the school, the committee is collecting items such as toiletries, clothing and home furnishings for the HOPE Center in Charleston and toys for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from each chapter.

Community service is included in Greek Week because the chapters feel that they can make an even more powerful impact on the community if they unite, Matthies said.

A feeling which committee member Jessica Montgomery shares.

"Being Greek is more than wearing letters and going to parties; it's about giving back and standing for something bigger than yourself," she said.

More than 200 members of the Greek community will be involved in the "Fun Day" and Matthies' goal is to collect around 200 items for the HOPE center and 50 toys.


Emily Steele can be reached at 581-7942 or at easteele2@eiu.edu.

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