“Stomping” for Good Cause at UGA
SIGMA DELTA TAU, OTHER SORORITIES RAISES $36,000
Seventeen Panhellenic sororities “Stomped the Grind” on Oct. 10 for University of Georgia’s Sigma Delta Tau’s annual philanthropy event, “Greek Grind.”
Through Greek Grind – a sorority-wide dance competition and the largest Greek philanthropy event at the University of Georgia – the sisters of SDT raised more than $36,000 for Prevent Child Abuse America, the sorority’s national philanthropy.
Elyssa Singer, SDT vice president of philanthropy and panhellenic, said the event was more incredible than she could have imagined.
“We’ve raised more money than we’ve ever raised,” she said. “I’m just really proud and grateful for everyone – the sororities, the committees, the sponsors – all who helped us raise as much as we did for a great cause.”
This year, Sigma Kappa placed first, while Alpha Omicron Pi and Delta Zeta followed in second and third, respectively. Kappa Kappa Gamma won the Spirit Award, which is given to the sorority who raises the most money for PCAA.
Page Kelley, Sigma Kappa’s Greek Grind chair, said placing first was “indescribable.”
“All of the time we spent preparing and practicing paid off,” she said.
SDT President Alyson Fleet knows that these girls weren’t just dancing to win. They were dancing for a cause: to raise money and awareness for PCAA.
“The cool thing about philanthropies on our campus is that they bring Greek life together,” she said. “Not only do we [SDT] support PCAA, but all the sororities are able to support PCAA and their philanthropies too.”
Singer said she wanted the entire campus to know Greek Grind was presented by SDT, so the sorority performed in the show for the first time in its history.
“Our girls put in more work than we thought possible,” she said. “People came up after the show to tell us how well we did, especially when the flash mob took over. That was a really great moment.”
This year, Monica Pearson hosted the event, and judges included Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, wide receiver Tavarres King and running back Keith Marshall. Olympic gold medalists Allison Schmitt and Shannon Vreeland judged as well.
Fleet said the amount of money SDT raises for PCAA is both rewarding and tremendous.
“It’s just insane that we’re able to raise such a vast amount of money every year,” she said. “I was involved with a lot of philanthropy in high school, and it’s just so incredible that we, as a group of less than 200 girls, can raise this amount of money for such a great cause.”
By Jamie Gottlieb / For the Atlanta Jewish Times
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