PULLMAN – WSU Greek Alumni Organization President Doug Thomas was aware WSU’s Greek students were active in the community, but even he is amazed and inspired by the extent of their service.
Thomas administered a survey that asked each WSU Greek chapter to provide information about its community service. Results show that Greek students contributed well over 25,000 hours of community service during the 2009-2010 academic year.
Dozens of local, regional and national charities and community service organizations benefitted from their work.
“All Greek chapters – large and small, traditional and multicultural – became engaged in volunteer service activities,” said Thomas. “The members’ commitment to the projects was heartfelt and their accomplishments made a valuable difference in the lives of people in the community and across the state, nation and world.”
Thomas estimated the 25,000 hours of community service provided by the WSU Greek community is equivalent to one person working eight hours a day, five days a week for 12 years.
Anita Cory, director of WSU’s Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life, said recent advances in recordkeeping helped Greek students document their community service.
“We are pleased that the Greek community’s partnership with WSU’s Center for Civic Engagement has allowed us to track service hours and locations in a way not possible in the past. We now know that Greek students are engaged and involved in the community, and we are excited to share this news.”
A local organization that has worked with WSU Greek students for many years is Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (ATVP). Greeks provide ATVP valuable assistance in offering prevention and educational programming for Palouse area residents. This year four sorority women completed 45-hours of specialized training, allowing them to staff ATVP’s hotline on evenings and weekends.
“I am heartened every year when the Greek community includes us in their philanthropic work,” said Christine Wall, ATVP executive director. “Their demonstrated leadership and commitment in supporting our mission of promoting peace, equality and justice is something we should all be proud of.”
Independent Sector, a Web-based leadership forum for approximately 600 leaders of charities, foundations and corporate giving programs, estimates the value of volunteer time in Washington to be $21.18 per hour.
Thomas found that the types of charities receiving this assistance from WSU Greeks are diverse, ranging from the Palouse Animal Shelter, the Shriners Hospital and Orphan Acres, to the Breast Cancer Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.
While numerous charities and the people they serve benefit from the hard work of WSU Greeks, Thomas said they aren’t the only ones to gain.
“Learning to give back to the community and the value of selfless service will benefit Greek members throughout their lives,” he said. “It is one of many life-changing experiences that come as a result of being a member of the WSU Greek community.”