The University Greek community is partnering with Habitat for Humanity in a competition to win $50,000 for impoverished families in Baton Rouge.
The competition, called the Pepsi Refresh Project, is an annual community service funding contest. The 10 service projects receiving the most votes will each win $50,000 prizes.
Should the University win, the money will benefit the annual Greek Week spring service project, in which fraternity and sorority members partner with Habitat for Humanity to participate in an “eight-day blitz” of house building for low-income families in the Baton Rouge area, said Sarah Lichterman, public relations junior and Greek Life public relations director.
The Greek Week project is currently ranked No. 80 among more than 200 other projects across the nation, Lichterman said.
Habitat for Humanity took the initiative to submit the idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project, she said.
“We’re trying to get people motivated to vote,” said Samantha Murrah, accounting senior and Greek Life fundraising director.
Murrah said fraternities and sororities are already voting, but the message is being spread to the University and Baton Rouge communities. The main goal of the project is to benefit Baton Rouge, and support from people outside Greek organizations is necessary to reach that goal.
The $50,000 prize will go solely to Habitat for Humanity and will in no way benefit the Greek community, said Paul Broussard, marketing sophomore and assistant Greek Life public relations director.
Murrah said the Greeks raised $170,000 last year for numerous philanthropic efforts, and their goal this year is $300,000. If won, the Pepsi Refresh grant will contribute to that amount, she said.
Voting ends Oct. 5, Lichterman said, and Greeks are spreading the word until that date.
Votes can be cast on the Pepsi Refresh website, through Facebook and by text message, Broussard said.
“We’re all working with the same motivation to better Baton Rouge,” Murrah said. “Winning this competition is one step closer to making Greek Week