The first month of school can be stressful: finding out where your classes are, getting used to your new schedule, and trying to balance your work and free time. But at College of Charleston, the beginning of the school year means it is time for Delta Gamma's annual fundraising week: Anchor Splash.
Anchor Splash is a week long fundraising competition between fraternities, sororities, and other campus organizations that raises money for our philanthropy, Service for Sight. This is one of the things I love most about being in Delta Gamma, being involved with our philanthropy.
Service for Sight was founded in 1936 by a Delta Gamma sister after she was blinded in a childhood accident, and since then we have expanded to our week long events that each chapter holds, whether it's Anchor Splash or Anchor Slam, DGs across the country look forward to fundraising and doing good. Since our first year, DG at College of Charleston has consistently surpassed all of our fundraising goals. In 2013, we raised $18,000 and this year we are hoping to raise $20,000. But we certainly cannot reach these goals without the support of the campus.
Each organization is assigned two to three DGs who help coach them during the week. As coaches, we organize everything from the synchronized swimming contestants to coaching the Anchorman contestant through the annual Anchorman pageant. We are in charge of keeping them in the loop with all things Anchor Splash.
As a junior, this is my second year coaching an organization, and it is one of the most fun things I've done since joining DG. Everyone gets very involved and excited to participate, whether it's the events during the school week, like the Most Beautiful Eyes competition or the swimming events on the actual day of Anchor Splash. Every little bit counts and makes a huge difference. There is no better feeling than seeing other organizations popping the gamma during their swimming routines and seeing them be so competitive with each other, all while raising money for our foundation. Last year, the organization I coached came in second place, and this year, coaching the same organization again, I am hoping that they can push for first place.
As we kick off Anchor Splash, I am looking forward to seeing, not only how my team does in the week, but how involved and active the rest of College of Charleston Greek life gets involved in such a worthwhile cause. My sisters and I look forward to it every year, and hope that we can continue to live by our motto and do good.
