Kent State Greek community raises awareness for S.A.V.E at SongFest 2014
Members of Sigma Sigma Sigma, Phi Kappa Tau, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Phi lota Alpha pose for a photo after winning awards for Songfest in the ballroom Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Songfest consisted of team skit and dance performances and Sigma Sigma Sigma took home the first place fundraising award. The event raised money for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (R.A.I.N.N.). Over $49,000 was raised for the organization.
Kent State Greek organizations will perform at SongFest, on Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Kent State Ballroom, on the second floor of the student center, at 7 p.m.
SongFest is a campus Greek community-wide song-and-skit fundraising philanthropy with all funds benefiting S.A.V.E., Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
“I am most excited for supporting suicide prevention,” Jennie Barr, junior public relations major and member of Delta Zeta, said. “Most people have been affected by depression or know someone who has committed suicide, and this is a great way to raise awareness.”
The Greeks are split into seven teams tasked with fundraising and creating a skit to showcase S.A.V.E.
“The skit includes three dances and a story line,” said Kaci Mikusevich, vice president of Panhellenic philanthropy and community service. “It is a combination of fundraising and performance that will win the competition.”
There will be first, second and third place winners at SongFest and the winning team will earn a large trophy, Barr said. There will also be a “people’s choice” award, where the audience will vote on their favorite routine.
During the spring 2014 semester, Mikusevich proposed three nonprofit organizations for SongFest to sponsor and the majority vote was suicide prevention, Barr said.
Kent State Greek organizations are aiming to do their part for the community by fundraising for philanthropies.
“We have over 70 Greek-lettered student organizations here at Kent State,” said Meredith Bielaska, assistant director for Greek affairs.
There are 18 fraternity chapters at Kent State, totaling 701 members and seven sorority chapters with 1,026 members. Between the fraternities and sororities on campus, they documented more than 22,637 service hours and raised $339,144 in the last year, according to the Greek Life 2013-2014 Chapter Service and Philanthropy Report provided by Bielaska.
Tickets for SongFest will be available for $8 on Thursday, Nov. 13 in the Student Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Only 80 tickets will be available to purchase. However, anyone can contribute to the cause and can donate to S.A.V.E. and educate themselves on suicide prevention at www.save.org.
Contact Gabrielle Martinez at [email protected].