Scott Silvestro/The Minaret

The University of Tampa’s Kappa Omega chapter of Sigma Chi collected donations in the Vaughn Center last week in an effort to organize care packages to send to US troops overseas.

Due to their initial success, the fraternity decided to continue raising donations through Derby Days, a Greek organizational event.

The fraternity raised over $900 and received a number of donation items from students between Nov. 2 and Nov. 6.

The money they have raised will buy more donation items to put into the care packages.
The fraternity’s list of approved shipping items for the care packages include: books, CDs, packaged foods and toiletries.

Care packages will be sent to soldiers in US Special Operation Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Six out of seven of our founders were in the military,” said Scott Silvestro, Community Service Chair of Sigma Chi.

According to Silvestro, these founding members served in the Civil War.

Silvestro, who took charge of the collections event, said the fraternity wanted to support the troops.

“It’s kind of natural for us,” he said, adding that many of their Sigma Chi brothers are serving in the military now.

In organizing the donation drive, Silvestro contacted MacDill Air Force Base which is the headquarters of special operations.

The fraternity decided to continue the donation drive through Derby Days, a Greek organizational event where sororities earn points in various events.

Derby Days ended Thursday.

According to Silvestro, sororities earned five points for every item they donated from the approved list.

“Were just heading the effort,” Silvestro said. “We rely on all of our donations to come from the student body.”