LETTER: Greek students give big to United Way agencies

The Greeks are back!

This means the MU students rushing and living in fraternities and sororities are back on campus already. And as we drive down Providence Road and through campus, seeing groups of students singing and shouting, we need to realize how much good these students are doing for our community.

Every April, Greek Week is celebrated with skits and games on campus. Students purchase T-shirts and get sponsorships from businesses and families. They compete to be the best on campus, but they do so much more for our community. This year, they donated $114,000 to eight local not-for-profit agencies and to two scholarships for MU students. This was $13,500 for each of us!

As United Way agencies, we saw our allocations drop this year and our needs grow greater than ever. These funds from Greek students are so appreciated and kept Meals on Wheels on budget.

Each year, agencies apply, and student leaders select which agencies will receive the funds. Often the students have a previous relationship with the agency either as a volunteer or through a family member who used the services of the agency. Meals on Wheels had 12 student volunteers last year, and the Adult Day Connection had more than 50 students.

Over the past five years, more than $500,000 has flowed into our community from these students. If you are a member of a local Greek chapter,  please let your collegiate members know how grateful you and this community are for all their hard work.

Marcia Walker is the executive director for Meals on Wheels. Amy Byergo is the director for Adult Day Connection.