Bulldogs sororities raise money for New Orleans counterparts

By Stephen Trembley
The Collegian

Fresno State’s sororities came together Monday during their National Badge Day to help four sororities struck by Hurricane Katrina.

“We realize that we are separate in our own houses,” Badge Day coordinator Cindy Adair said. “But, we can also come together as Greeks.”

The four sororities at the University of New Orleans were inactive for the fall semester after Hurricane Katrina surged through the Gulf Coast region last August.

The six on-campus sororities at Fresno State attended a nighttime, candlelit ceremony to acknowledge the winners of three community service projects and share the significance of each of the chapter’s badges.

“Badge Day promotes unity,” Panhellenic President Krystal Ward said. “I’m glad we can all come together during this rebuilding period.”

All six sororities combined their efforts to raise more than $300 during their chain-link competition to go to the Panhellenic Board at the University of New Orleans.

Since the New Orleans’ sororities were unable to complete their annual philanthropies, the Board will then donate the money to local Louisiana charities to supplement the difference, Ward said.

Kappa Kappa Gamma led the way with more than $100 donated in the chain-link contest, where each link cost 25 cents, but often, donors gave one or five-dollar bills.

Adair also praised Delta Gamma for collecting 24 bags and boxes in the Panhellenic clothing drive for the Marjaree Mason Center and Alpha Xi Delta for having 82 percent of their membership sign-in at the University Student Union with badges pinned on black dress attire.

Panhellenic Adviser Molly Fagundes hopes events like the annual Badge Day show how sororities give back to their community and give the girls a common bond.

“Badge Day recognizes the bond that these girls share as sorority sisters,” Fagundes said.

National Panhellenic affiliated students and alumnae donate more than $5 million dollars to various causes, nearly $3 million in scholarships and a half a million hours to communities across Northern American.

Adair commended the girls for wearing their badges with pride and honoring the legacy of the founding members of their respective chapters.

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