Fraternities and sororities overcome challenges to continue philanthropic activities

Philanthropy and community service are important and meaningful parts of sorority and fraternity life at Baker University. In a typical year, these organizations hold fundraising events and perform many hours of community service.

However, this past fall, with the inability to gather in large groups and the necessity to maintain social distance because of the coronavirus, established events were cancelled or adjusted to occur virtually.

Baker’s sorority and fraternity members didn’t let these limitations keep them from making a difference in their communities.

“Vintage Park is a local nursing home in Baldwin City that our chapter usually volunteers at multiple times a semester. Since COVID-19 prevented us from visiting the residents, we wrote letters containing words of encouragement and love to the residents so they knew we were still thinking of them,” said Mallory Shuler, president of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Fundraising did not slow either. Through various efforts, Baker’s four fraternity chapters and three sorority chapters raised more than $19,000 for local organizations last fall. Recipients included JDRF, which funds type 1 diabetes research; Military Heroes Campaign, which supports ongoing care for military veterans and their families; St. Baldricks Foundation, which funds research to find cures for childhood cancer; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Children’s Mercy, a hospital in Kansas City; Willow Domestic Violence Center; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, which promotes breast cancer education and awareness.

“These men and women are so impressive,” said Dr. Cassy Bailey, dean of students. Although it was a crazy semester and COVID presented challenges, they were able to find a way to perform the work that is the hallmark of sorority and fraternity life at Baker.”