My big fat Greek family

The holidays are a time for family and giving. Many collegiate Greek organizations recognize this and plan philanthropic activities in their communities during the holiday season. Greek students from Youngstown State University are participating in a campus-wide “Giving Tree” event to donate to families in the communities surrounding their campus.

Towson University Greeks are doing the same in Baltimore City. Members from three different sororities and fraternities are coming together this Tuesday night in the University Union to volunteer in the annual Holiday for the Kids event. Elementary age children from inner city schools will arrive in busses to open presents from their holiday wish lists. Several small teams of Greek members received a wish list in October from one child, and they raised money to purchase and wrap gifts for that child. In the past, children have wished for clothes, Barbie dolls, bicycles, hamsters, and play stations.

Towson sororities in the Baltimore community

About seventy-five college girls will be bundled up early this Sunday morning in downtown Baltimore for the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for the National Arthritis Foundation. Members of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority from Towson University participate in this event every December to help support their national philanthropy. Over 33 states sponsor Jingle Bell Run/Walk events in multiple cities around the country, and Alpha Omicron Pi members from local collegiate and alumni chapter are some of the largest contributors in these events. Race participants look forward to wearing jingle bells on their shoelaces and seeing Santa Clause run in the race too. The Baltimore race course travels through the inner harbor and Historic Little Italy. Other Maryland locations for the Jingle Bell Run include Solomons, Glen Burnie, Fredrick, and Ellicott City.