The Rock - Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.

Chapters Give Back – Sigma Nu's Helping Hand Initiative

Sigma Nu Fraternity established the Helping Hand Initiative, an official international philanthropic and service effort, in 2004 at the 61st Grand Chapter with two primary components: Founders' Week-of-Service and Helping Hand Partners. In 2008, the Founders' Week-of-Service became the Founders' Month-of-Service, throughout the month of April, to coincide with the April 1st birth date of Sigma Nu founder Greenfield Quarles.

The Helping Hand Partners are:
CHARACTER COUNTS!

Habitat-for-Humanity
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

These three organizations were selected because their missions are closely related to the mission of Sigma Nu. Chapters are encouraged to participate with at least one Helping Hand Partner and/or plan a service event during the Founders' Month-of-Service with any local charitable organization. Participating chapters are asked to report their efforts to the Fraternity.

This year's reports included the following efforts:

		Gamma Eta Chapter at Colorado School of Mines reported over 300 hours of service to their local community.
		Kappa Rho Chapter at UC San Diego raised more than $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
		Epsilon Mu Chapter at Butler University donated $2,200 and served 200 hours with their local Habitat-for-Humanity chapter in Indianapolis.

David Martin (Butler), Philanthropy Co-Chair for the Butler chapter, says their members spend time reflecting and discussing their experience at the end of a project. "It has been extremely helpful in instilling an understanding of why we do service. I think people were more passionate about philanthropy week this year because we were able to actually volunteer with the organization we were sponsoring and see how the money raised would be used. We went into those neighborhoods with substandard housing and worked side-by-side with other members of the community in an effort to eliminate poverty and homelessness in Indianapolis," said Martin.

The Helping Hand Initiative offers tremendous potential benefit to Sigma Nu chapters and members. Through their involvement, members have the opportunity to give back to their communities and learn first-hand the benefits of being servant leaders.