The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity will host its annual philanthropy softball tournament, At Bat for the Troops, at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ghormley Park.
All proceeds from the event are donated to United Service Organizations, a non-profit organization that offers services and programs to members of the U.S. military and their families.
Skyler Wilburn, senior and philanthropy chair for FIJI, is coordinating most of this year”s events and outreach.
“A lot goes into planning this event. We have to reserve the field for our certain time, distribute information to sororities on campus, plan the barbecue, order food, buy charcoal and get the grill ready and make up the brackets for the teams participating,” Wilburn said.
FIJI member Chris Skidmore, who loved baseball, started the annual event four years ago. He decided to start the event to incorporate his love for baseball – through softball – and his desire to help give back to the troops.
“This event is important because (the troops) are out there doing their thing, so that we are able to do all the things that we want to do,” Wilburn said. “It feels good to give back, since they”ve been giving so much for us.”
Wilburn said they aim to help military families by donating to USO.
Although the fraternity doesn”t get to see the reactions of families who receive donations from the USO, it is still worth it, Wilburn said.
“It”s just supporting our troops, so I feel like it”s something that we should want to do,” Wilburn said. “It feels good to be giving back to the families who sacrifice so much for us,” Wilburn said.
Usually, the event raises between $500 and $700, and all the proceeds are donated directly to the USO through their website, he said.
Each team pays a $50 fee and some sororities often have two teams, instead of the typical one team.
“We try to get all the sororities involved to try and raise as much money as possible,” Wilburn said.
The fraternity is aiming to raise around $1,000 this year.
Wilburn said they are trying to raise as much money as possible through this event, and hopefully push through a new philanthropy event for the spring semester.
Wilburn said some sororities have initiation this week and next week, so they may not be able to participate.
“Hopefully we will have most of them,” Wilburn said.
It never hurts to get some support from the community, Wilburn said.
“I”m really looking forward to the turnout, hoping to see a lot of participation from Greek row,” Wilburn said. “I”m especially looking forward to everyone coming together for the betterment of others, which will also raise awareness for our armed forces.”
Diamond Koloski can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @diamond_uidaho