Westminster's Greek Organizations Keep on Giving

Each year since 1997, all Westminster College Greek organizations on campus raise money for the Lynch  family.

Bill Lynch, a 1983 Westminster graduate, met Carolyn when he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity and she was a Zeta Tau Alpha , one of the fraternity's sweethearts.  The couple married in 1986.  But in 1991, Carolyn nearly died from an infection that had stolen half her lung capacity and ended her career as an elementary teacher.  Then in 1997, Bill, who had no life insurance, collapsed and died from a heart aneurysm, and left Carolyn and their three children without an income.

Ever since then, each fraternity and sorority takes turns making 11 holidays a little brighter for the Lynch family.  At Christmas, all the Greeks make a donation and buy gifts for the children.  The fraternities and sororities take up a collection at the annual Sing and Swing Competition, and since 1998, they have collected over $8,250 to help out their "adopted family." 

"I just receive the collection of $200 to buy Christmas gives for the children," said Stephanie Wagner, service chair for Panhellenic Council and a junior elementary education major from Hershey.  "We have a wish-list for the three Lynch children, which includes Uno Attack, a soccerball, paint by number kit, Disney CDs, magic trick kits, remote control cars, Perfection Game, Shrek 2 DVD, Monopoly, Brain Quest Cards, and more.  I wish I could be there when the kids open their presents, just to see their faces.  Mrs. Lynch wrote how the kids want to be able to help a family when they get to college."

In addition the Greeks take turns purchasing and delivering gifts.  Sigma Nu fraternity takes care of Valentine's Day; Zeta Tau Alpha sorority gives gifts on St. Patrick's Day; Phi Kappa Tau gives at Easter; Phi Mu sorority gives on the first day of school; Theta Chi fraternity gives on Halloween; Kappa Delta gives on Thanksgiving; Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity provides birthday gifts for Megan; Alpha Gamma Delta sorority gives Tommy birthday gifts; Sigma Phi Epsilon gives Sarah's birthday gifts; and Sigma Kappa sorority helps the Lynch family celebrate summer.

For more information, contact Camille Hawthorne, associate dean of student affairs, at (724) 946-7112 or e-mail hawthorc@westminster.edu.

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