Beta Eta Chapter at Virginia Tech participated in their campus’ Greeks Giving Back event, and aided a brother’s farm, Jessee Livestock, to help raise funds for the chapter house.
Brother Turner Saunders, VNR-Philanthropy, said he participated in the Greeks Giving Back with three other brothers, while the rest of the chapter split off to support Jessee Livestock. He said as part of the Greeks Giving Back event, the brothers that were able to go helped local community members by spreading mulch and cleaning up flower beds.
The brothers who visited Jessee Livestock, owned by the family of Brother Cole Jessee, helped fix and replace fencing around the property for Brother Jessee’s family. Brother Saunders said this work project was just one of many the chapter has done over the years. He said the chapter holds a work project every semester, usually at an alumnus’ home or property, where the chapter brothers help with whatever the alumnus has planned for about six to eight hours and they are paid a bit for their work. Those funds are then put towards the upkeep of the chapter house or put away for future house needs. The chapter made $1,300 for their work at Jessee Livestock.
Brother Saunders said these work projects not only allow the chapter to raise more money for the chapter house, but they also get to build their relationships with alumni in the area.
“I definitely think it brings us closer to alumni, because we're there with them, talking with them and helping them out, so it keeps a good connection,” Brother Saunders said.
He also said that he the alumni also visit more often, especially during football season. Alumni often help out the brothers while they are visiting as well such as bringing items they need like plates or firewood.
Several alumni also gave checks that the alumni chapter put toward repairs for the chapter house like resealing their driveway, redoing the wood floors in the house and repainting the interior.
Brother Saunders said the chapter brothers enjoy doing the work projects because they get to hang out together with alumni, while also making money for the chapter house.
