Derby Days
Derby Days is Sigma Chi's annual philanthropic event to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Sigma Chi has officially affiliated itself with Children's Miracle Network since 1992, and now raises funds at chapters across the country through various events such as this. Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit alliance of 170 hospitals throughout the United States and Canada dedicated to research and community outreach, and to providing the finest care for 17 million children a year with diseases and injuries of every kind, from broken bones to cancer.
Derby Days, founded in 1934 at UC Berkeley, offers an excellent opportunity for public relations while making a contribution to a deserving cause as well as promoting Greek Life as a whole. Since its inception, Derby Days has raised over $2 million nationwide for numerous philanthropies. In fact, such a program is a pioneer among men's fraternities.
Derby Days in itself is a unique event to happen here at GW especially in the Greek Community. The week's events are carefully planned to be a unique experience for the participants. On that note, Sororities will team up with their coaches and compete through out the events leading up to a huge carnival.
Then, at the end of the week a winning team will be selected. The Sorority winner will be awarded the Derby Days Cup. But it gets better! The winning team will co-sign the check that we send to the Children's Miracle Network with all the money that we raised and win bragging rights for the next year!
We encourage all Greek letter organizations to participate and hope that you all help us give back to the community.
The date of this year's event will be announced in the coming months.
Other Philanthropy
Philanthropic events and volunteering are some of the most rewarding experiences for the Brothers of Sigma Chi. The Fraternity has supported the endeavors of two internationally recognized Sigma Chi beneficiaries: the Children’s Miracle Network and the Hunstman Cancer Institute. In 1992, the Children’s Miracle Network was introduced by Significant Sig and Football Hall of Famer, Merlin Olsen as the first international beneficiary of Sigma Chi. At the Sigma Chi 150th celebration in 2005, an announcement was made making the Huntsman Cancer Institute the Fraternity’s second beneficiary. The HCI has a very close bond with Sigma Chi through its founder, Jon M. Huntsman, Sr is a Sig from the University of Pennsylvania. The mantra “HBO” or “Help a Brother Out” is most eloquently expressed by the Fraternity’s continued service towards helping Brother Huntsman and the hundreds of thousands of individuals and families affected by cancer every year.
Epsilon realizes the impact service has on the community and our Brothers are dedicated to making a difference any way they can. As a result, Epsilon participates and coordinates numerous service events throughout the year, in addition to our annual Derby Days event. Epsilon Brothers have always participated in other Greek-letter organization philanthropy events on campus. This past year alone we have participated in several events such as Delta Gamma’s Anchor Bowl, Chi Omega’s Swishes for Wishes, Pi Beta Phi’s Wiffleball tournament, Tau Kappa Epsilon’s Turkey Bowl and many, many more. Our endeavors have also managed to garner us a few awards as well. In the Fall of 2008, the Brothers managed to dodge their way into First Place during Alpha Phi’s Phi Ball tournament, a campus wide, fraternity dodgeball event. Following that impressive performance, the Brothers were also able to capture the hearts of the lovely Alpha Phi sisters during their annual Heart Week in the Spring of 2009, which raises money and awareness for the Alpha Phi Foundation and women's cardiac health. Other awards that Epsilon has achieved in the past year also include First Place in Dodgeball for Darfur 2008, TKE’s Turkey Bowl and Second Place in DG’s Anchor Bowl and Pi Phi’s Wiffleball tournament.
While Epsilon perceives the act of community service as creating a greater presence on the George Washington University campus, it also considers giving back to the community directly a rewarding and deserving cause. Epsilon Brothers have, in the past, volunteered their time in several places and with countless organizations. Epsilon volunteers have been seen working at the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, making DC greener with Casey Trees, cleaning up at the Foggy Bottom Clean-up, and visiting with patients and making cards for outpatients of the Children’s National Medical Center. The Fall 2009 community service line-up will see a few additions with meal preparation at the DC Central Kitchen and the RHA sponsored St. Mary’s Court grocery program. The 2008-09 academic year was a big year in regards to Epsilon's community service and volunteering ventures as we received the Eastern Province Community Service Award by Grand Praetor, Dave Asselin and Grand Trustee, Bruce Casner (who, if you didn't know, are also fellow Epsilons).
By participating in philanthropic events and providing service to the community, Epsilon Brothers are able to fully express themselves through the ideals that Sigma Chi was founded. Ideals which are founded on our constant quest to build on our good character, ambitious purposes, good morals and our deep sense of personal responsibility.
