A Community Service plays a fundamental role in the IFC fraternity system at the University of Virginia. Fraternal organizations consistently devote a great deal of time to charities and services around the University and the Charlottesville community. Second only to Madison House in terms of hours devoted and money raised, the IFC encourages all of its members to become involved in service. As a whole, the IFC fraternities devote over 32,000 man hours annually and raise over $50,000 for local and national charities.

Last fall, the IFC led “The Crimson War” blood drive competition against the University of Maryland. In a partnership with the American Red Cross and Virginia Blood Services, the week-long event raised over 550 units of blood at UVa alone. Between the two universities, enough blood was collected to help over 3,000 people and bring both the Commonwealth of Virginia and State of Maryland out of a severe blood shortage that dated back prior to September 11, 2001. The IFC also collected over $2,000 in t-shirt sales and donated the funds to the American Red Cross and Virginia Blood Services. Within the IFC, 93% of all fraternities participated in the event. The brotherhood of Zeta Beta Tau won the fraternity competition with 75% of their chapter donating. In the end, the University’s 583 donors beat the 398 from Maryland, but more importantly, both Universities plan on making “The Crimson War” blood drive an annual tradition that shows the dedication of the Greek systems to the surrounding community.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding community service within the IFC, please contact this year’s Chairman for Community Service, Kayu Muigai.

Events

Listed below are many of the events that IFC fraternities host to raise money for various charities, as well as some of the charities that benefit from this support.