October 20, 2005

Greek Week to feature 5K run/walk, blood drive

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Beginning Sunday (Oct. 23), the Purdue University Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council will sponsor a week of competitive and social events known as Greek Week.

Proceeds from this year's activities will benefit the United Way of Greater Lafayette.

Although most of the events are intended for members of Purdue fraternities and sororities, a 5K run/walk and a blood drive will be open to the public.

The Greek Week Kickoff 5K Run/Walk will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday at Vawter Field. Registration is $10 and forms can be downloaded at http://www.purdue.edu/ifc. Participants can turn in registration forms the day of the event.

On Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 24-25), the Lafayette Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Purdue Memorial Union, Room 118, as part of Greek Week activities. The public is invited to donate; no appointments are necessary.

"The Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council are working hard to make sure Greek Week 2005 is a success," said Bobby LaRue of Naperville, Ill., a junior majoring in management and IFC's director of Greek relations. "Through individual chapter philanthropies, Purdue chapters donate more than $60,000 each year to charities. We really want to thank the community and the Greek system for their support and continued participation."

Other Greek Week activities include a concert featuring Todd Hurst, the Greek Challenge, the Skip-a-Meal dinner and the Greek Gala Ball.

Purdue University has one of the largest and oldest Greek communities in the nation with 42 fraternities and 21 sororities and more than 5,000 members.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Bobby LaRue, jlarue@purdue.edu

Megan McGonigle, Panhellenic Association director of Greek relations, mmmcgoni@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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