Panhel seeks unity with philanthropy

With the help of some dedicated sorority members, the Duke Children's Hospital became the Duke Children's Carnival for a day late last semester. It was the first community service project sponsored by the Panhellenic Council, and it may be the start of a new trend for the organization, which has traditionally left service to its member organizations.

"Panhel is the largest student organization at Duke, and it is important that philanthropy is one of its focuses," said Panhel President Kate Heath.

Panhel-organized community service projects may even have secondary benefits for the group-it could prove way of promoting community among different sororities, for example. "One of Panhel's goals for the year is to encourage more collaboration among all the 10 groups," she said. Still, Panhel's community service work is simply an addition to-not a replacement for-each group's own activities, and the individual sororities will continue to plan their own community service projects.

Panhel co-sponsored the Nov. 5 reunion along with Families with Heart, a parent-patient support group aimed at helping children with heart problems and their families, and hopes to continue working with the group in the future. Children who had recovered from severe illnesses were treated to a fun-filled day of food, games and excitement while reuniting with the hospital staffers who had helped them during their frequent trips to the hospital.

Panhel supplied people-power and paid for the food at the party. Three members from each sorority attended, along with members of Panhel's executive council. The women ran the various carnival games and helped pass out gift bags to the partygoers.

Several members of the Sigma Chi fraternity also attended the party at the Children's Hospital, because the fraternity's national philanthropy is the Children's Miracle Network.

Andrea Buckwalter, the Panhel parliamentarian, said Families with Heart seemed pleased with Panhel's involvement. "It was really successful and everyone had a great time," she said.