Greeks Giving Back shows community service as central to Fraternity and Sorority Life
Students seek to connect with more community members through service projects this spring.
Fraternity and Sorority Life reflects the university’s commitment to serving the community. All Greek life organizations recognized by the university prioritize making connections and helping campus neighbors. Individual organizations make year-round efforts, but one event brings their service together: Greeks Giving Back.
This spring's Greeks Giving Back event invites Blacksburg-area homeowners to make a project request for service days on Saturday, March 28, and Saturday, April 25. Those dates expand the impact of the university’s largest single day of service, The Big Event, planned for April 11, where many Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations also participate.
For over 10 years, the event has been a chance for students to serve and be in fellowship with their New River Valley neighbors. Whether mulching, cleaning windows, or clearing leaves, students complete work that benefits the community while helping them grow as individuals.
Fraternity and Sorority Life served more than 150 households last fall, strengthening community connections and upholding the values of its organizations and of Virginia Tech.
Andrea Funes Quinones, a member of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Inc., said she could see the impact of her organization’s work right away when assisting a Blacksburg neighbor.
“We could tell our help was meaningful because she is deeply appreciated within her community, which was clear when a neighbor stopped to thank us and explain how loved she is,” said Quinones. “She is also older and has hip issues, which made these tasks difficult for her to complete on her own.”
Quinones also shared that the opportunity to assist the community helped her feel more in tune with her personal and organizational values.
“Giving back is important to me because I value community engagement and believe in supporting others whenever possible,” said Quinones. “It also allows me to represent my culture and my sorority while making a positive impact.”
Kiersten E. Masse serves as the assistant director of events for her fraternity, Alpha Phi. Some organizational sisterhoods formed before the word "sorority" was coined were established and are still formally known as fraternities.
She shared her appreciation for the smaller things that make an impact on those in the community.
“Giving back matters to me because it’s a way to show up for people who might not have the help they need,” Masse said. “It reminds me that small acts, even if it takes a couple of hours, can make someone’s day, their week, and even their sense of security at home so much better. Service keeps me grounded and reminds me what community is supposed to look like.”
Masse also said that the work completed during Greeks Giving Back is more intimate and personal, providing opportunities for closer relationships than bigger events.
“It showed me that our impact isn’t only in big fundraising moments, sometimes it’s in doing something practical that helps someone feel safe, supported, and less alone."
Brothers in the Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon used their strengths in both communication and commitment to service while helping New River Valley residents.
“Knowing we were able to help the members in our community was very rewarding,” said Reid Ivy, philanthropy chair of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. “It shows that we take care of them and they take care of us.”
Fraternity and Sorority Life at Virginia Tech cultivates leadership, encourages personal growth, fosters health & safety, and expands ways for students to belong, ExperienceVT, and embrace Ut Prosim as a way of life.
Community members and organizations can sign up to get help during Greeks Giving Back this spring.
Written by Caitlin Whitfield, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism
