Greek life is infamously known for stereotypical partying, hazing, and its carbon copied members. It is not hard to understand why these negative connotations follow us around, with Hollywood’s fixation on exaggerating Greek life and college parties or the numerous hazing scandals particularly in state schools, it seems like Greeks can’t catch a break. With all this clouding over us, people fail to recognize all the positive contributions that Greek life has on campus. For instance, Greek life is very involved in the selfless participation of planning, advertising, and organizing multiple philanthropic events. Although each organization has different values, one that unites us all is service. Each organization plans philanthropy events each semester to benefit a local or national organization. For instance, Kappa Kappa Gamma supports the national organization Reading is Fundamental, which aims to “encourage and motivate young children to read,” through events like Lipsync for Literacy and Kappa Kappacuinnos. Fraternities like Sigma Lambda Beta also do their part by supporting their primary organization Flagship through events such as Beta Ball by building awareness against sexual assault and changing the current paradigm and culture around it. Greek life brings great activities for the Dickinson community while building awareness and financial support to organizations that would not be able to operate without it. 

This semester, Dickinson’s Epsilon Lambda chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta has planned a new philanthropy event; Carnival for CASA which is set to take place on October 12th, 2019 from 2-4pm on Morgan Field. Carnival for Casa is an interactive fundraising event inspired by carnival events such as performances, games, food and other festive activities. There will be acapella groups, the Dickinson Cheer Team, Jazz Combo and the Synergy Dance team preforming throughout the event as well as games such as Ring Toss, Pie eating contests and much more. Carnival is also a great opportunity to get some seasonal snacks like caramel apples, popcorn, and baked goods. Overall it is a great opportunity to bring the community together, meet the sisterhood, and raise money for a great cause. 

This event is going to be held instead of the annual CASA Café that takes place in the Fall. Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO), Simone Geary decided to change the event in order to “engage more of the community and host a more active event where everyone can come and support an amazing organization while having fun with their families or friends.” Unlike the café, carnival allows greater flexibility from guests who can choose to stay for a few minutes to get some snacks and watch the performances or stay longer to compete with their friends for prizes. 

All proceeds for this event will be be supporting our local and national organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Orlandi Novak, the chapter’s Fundraising Director, explains the importance of supporting CASA as our “national organization that supports children in the foster care system who have often experienced abuse and neglect. Each CASA volunteer is thoroughly trained and paired with a child to advocate for in court and beyond.” Our primary concern is helping our local and national CASA by financially supporting them while also educating the community about this amazing organization. Novak sees the carnival as an opportunity for the Dickinson and Carlisle community to come together and have fun in addition to raising money for a good cause.”  By the end of the event we are hoping to have raise roughly $3000. In order to achieve this, we will be selling $8 wristbands for adults and $5 wristbands for children for full access to food, games, and activities such as face painting, pumpkin painting and photo booths. We will also be accepting donations through our Crowd Change website. Regardless of the amount we make, we hope everyone has a chance to stop by and participate in helping the organization so it can help make a difference in the life of a needy child.