Monday marked the beginning of the 46th Derby Days hosted by the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi on campus. The week-long series of events includes games, concerts and a cookout to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi.
Make-A-Wish of Mississippi grants wishes for terminally ill children who are suffering from a wide range of diseases. Sigma Chi usually donates enough money to grant around six wishes. This year they anticipate raising about $30,000 to donate to the foundation, junior Bennett Witcher said.
Sigma Chi will raise money by selling Derby books, which are filled with ads that can be bought by sororities and local businesses. Harvey’s, the Copy Cow and the Hunt Club are just a few businesses that support Derby Days. Anyone can purchase a Derby book for $7 or a Derby Days T-shirt for $15 at the Sigma Chi house.
Witcher said the fraternity raises a lot of money through the Derby book.
“This is our main way of raising money because the businesses and sororities pay a lot of money to put an ad in the book,” Witcher said.
Six sororities are teaming with Sigma Chi for this event: Phi Mu, Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Zeta Tau Alpha and Kappa Delta. The sororities compete against each other in the games and help raise money by buying T-shirts and ads for the Derby book.
Sorority members have also hung banners in the Sigma Chi house to be judged. The banner theme for this year is “rappers,” and each sorority selected a different rap artist to display on their banner. Sophomore Sigma Chi member Woody Drake explained the importance of the theme.
“Each sorority has a rapper, and at the different competitions they all use their rappers as their (team’s) theme,” Drake said.
Today Sigma Chi will host a volleyball tournament at 2:30 p.m., a cookout at 5 p.m. and lip sync competition at 5:45 p.m. at the Sigma Chi house. Planter’s Row will be playing at the International Bistro at 8:30 tonight. Cover charge for the concert is $5.
Witcher said the events are open to everyone.
“Everyone’s welcome to come up here (to the Sigma Chi house) Tuesday at 5:45 for the lip sync, and if you want to eat Tuesday we’ll be selling tickets for the cookout,” Witcher said.
Thursday the sororities will play a 3 on 3 Basketball game at 3 p.m. and the Dancing Outlaws will perform at the Hunt Club at 8 p.m. Cover is $10 with unlimited drinks.
Bands will also play at the fraternity’s house Friday and Saturday. Games will start Saturday at noon on the old intramural field. A dance competition will also be held.
Witcher said students can help out by giving donations to the Make-A-Wish foundation, buying a T-shirt or Derby book, and he encourages everyone to attend the week’s events.
“We would like everyone to come out Saturday at the intramural field to support us,” Witcher said.
Witcher also said that all cover charges from the Hunt Club and International Bistro events also go to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
“If you’re going out this weekend anyway, try to come to the Bistro and the Hunt Club this weekend to help support us,” Witcher said.
“Derby Days is a fun way to raise money for a good cause,” junior Meade Tyler said.
Members of Sigma Chi said that although it’s hard work, it’s worth it to make a child’s dream come true.
“On Saturday, when you actually give the check to the Make-A-Wish child, seeing the excitement on their face makes the effort worthwhile,” senior Brett Bailey said.