The University of Rhode Island’s Greek Week wrapped up the evening of April 11 with a dance competition and the announcement of this year’s overall winners: Alpha Delta Pi and Theta Chi.
The weeklong event raised a total of $148,000 for Special Olympics Rhode Island and Best Buddies of Rhode Island, according to the URI Greek Week Crowd Change website. The event followed traditions of community service and began on April 6.
The event on April 8 focused on hands-on service, as students packed more than 20,000 meals for local food security initiatives, according to Kayla Owens, third-year communication studies major and Panhellenic philanthropy chair. The packaged meals went straight to Rhody Outpost, Jonnycake Center and several other local partners working to fight hunger across Rhode Island.
“Each year there is someone different,” said Owens, “I had a very special connection with Best Buddies and the Special Olympics. It’s a big part of how I got involved in service and volunteering.”
Students from across the Greek life community worked side by side, showcasing their commitment to causes beyond campus borders, according to Owens.
April 9 featured a historic tradition – the Mr. and Mrs. Greek Week pageant – along with an address from a Best Buddies ambassador. The speaker Emily Sanita, representing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, shared their journey and the role Best Buddies is played during Greek Week.
On April 10, URI’s campus welcomed a special guest, Edwin Pacheco ’05, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island. A URI alumnus and former member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, Pacheco offered a personal perspective on the long-standing relationship between URI’s Greek community and the Special Olympics.
His remarks emphasized the power of student leadership and the lasting impact of giving back, according to Olivia Vendas, a fourth year nursing major and vice president of philanthropy and service.
“This year, we’re going to ask other chapters what is close to them,” said Vendas, “I gotta do what’s close to my heart.”
The week came to a close with the dance competition, where chapters took the stage with the choreographed performances, colorful costumes and themes from pop culture tributes.
Throughout the week, chapters participated in a points-based system that rewarded fundraising and volunteer hours, according to the URI Crowd Change website. The $148,000 is one of the highest amounts they have gathered and will be used directly to support programs that help and raise awareness for people with intellectual disabilities, according to Owens.
Greek Week has grown significantly throughout the 75 years it’s been serving, according to Owens. Through these efforts, students contribute to local organizations and engage with the broader Rhode Island community.
All future and current events associated with Greek Life can be found on the @uri_greeklife Instagram or the URI Greek Life section of the universities website.
