Messages of thanks and hope, along with tangible offerings of care and comfort, were
created recently by members of Ferris State University’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity
councils.
More than two dozen students took part in an afternoon of service, according to Panhellenic Council President Melissa Klinger. They wrote more than 200 holiday cards to active and retired members of the U.S. military as part of their support of the Operation Gratitude organization. Also, 18 tie-blankets were produced and those items were presented to the Our Brother’s Keeper homeless shelter in Big Rapids.
“It felt good to give to people who have so little, and reach out to those who are serving our country,” Klinger said. “It was also a lot of fun to get to know people in other Greek chapters on campus.”
Greek Life coordinator Matt Jones said that most of the Greek organizations have ties to area nonprofits, or other community groups.
“They do this because they want to help, not because they have to,” Jones said. “These type of events build community, and help the councils become connected with the greater Big Rapids community.”
Jones credited the Panhellenic Council with determining the need, and then offering the rest of the Greek community the chance to collaborate with them in this afternoon of service.
“It was the first time they chose to make tie-blankets,” Jones said. “It was a really positive event, and we hope it’s a catalyst for more of the same.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Two guests of Our Brother’s Keeper, a homeless shelter operating in Big Rapids, Mich., model the tie-blankets that they received recently. Eighteen tie-blankets were donated by Ferris State University’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils as part of a service project.