Greek Week will begin tomorrow as 36 Greek organizations come together to build a house for Habitat for Humanity, emulating this year’s theme, “Building a Stronger Community.”
“Last year, we started thinking that Greek Week wasn’t serving its purpose,” said Breland Deano, Greek Board of Directors philanthropy director.
The week typically includes parties at fraternity and sorority houses, game days and picnics on the Parade Ground.
Deano said the board thought Greek Week presented an opportunity to give back to Baton Rouge.
“We get so much support from the community and from our alumni,” Deano said.
Deano said the board started planning last year as soon as it was elected in the spring.
“We started fundraising over the summer,” Deano said.
It costs $55,000 to sponsor a house for Habitat for Humanity, Deano said.
Danny Wesson, Greek Week director, said University sororities and fraternities have raised almost $80,000.
Most of the money came from letter-writing campaigns to friends and family, Wesson said.
The volunteers will use the extra $25,000 to pay expenses and then use whatever is left to buy furniture for their new house, he said.
He also said he thinks the new Greek Week will bring the community closer together.
“Greek Week is supposed to build community and help us bond,” Wesson said. “In the past, that hasn’t really happened.”
Wesson said he thinks building a house will be the ultimate bonding experience for University Greeks.