Hundreds of fraternity and sorority members at Kansas State volunteered across Manhattan on Feb. 21 as part of Fraternity and Sorority Life Day of Service, the official kickoff event to K-State’s annual Greek Week.

The event took place from 9 a.m. to noon and sent students to multiple organizations across the city to address a variety of issues, including food insecurity, housing insecurity, domestic violence and veterans’ support. The event typically also includes outdoor cleanup, but cold weather forced the cancellation of those assignments.

Demmy Idowu, Interfraternity Council vice president of community wellness, said the goal of the event was to support local organizations and highlight the positive impact Greek life has on the community.  

“A lot of the talk and stigmas around Greek life are usually not a positive light,” Idowu said. “Starting Greek Week with one of the best things Greek houses do — philanthropy and serving the community — is a good way to show the impact we can have.”

For many students, the event offered an opportunity to foster a connection with their community. Acacia freshman Dylan Reeves, who spent the morning creating cards to support veterans, said he feels the event was meaningful beyond just getting the volunteer hours.

“I feel like I got to help put some more joy into the world, and I hope that is the effect it had on the kids in the community,” Reeves said. “I feel like it definitely gives you more appreciation for what you have, but it also just feels nice giving back.”

This impact on students is one of the things Idowu said he was most proud of. Along with exposing students to new organizations and issues pressing Manhattan, he says that he hopes students can feel they served their community well.

“I think when people have fun, and they enjoy things and are more passionate about it, it’s going to help the community a lot more, and they might be willing to go back on their own,” Idowu said. “I hope they feel good about themselves and rewarded for giving back to the community that’s giving to them.”

The Day of Service continues to strengthen the connection between Greek life and the Manhattan community. For many Greek students, the event offered more than volunteer hours; it was a reminder to always support the community that supports them.