In an effort to give back to the city of Kent and surrounding areas, the Greek community has developed a week’s worth of community service events.

“We want to give our time and service, and people are so willing to help that we want to take advantage of it,” said Valerie Fisher, vice president of philanthropy and community service in Pan-Hellenic council.

Every day of Greek Community Awareness Week, there are at least two programs that members of fraternities and sororities will participate in to help out various local organizations.

Fisher, a junior nursing major in Delta Zeta, organized the week with her counterpart, Brett Fodor, a member of Delta Upsilon.

Fisher hopes that Clean Up Downtown Kent on Tuesday will have the most involvement. Pita Pit is sponsoring the event and will give a voucher for those who participate for 30 minutes. Fisher said volunteers will throw away trash, recycle and do whatever is needed to clean up the town.

“We do a lot of national philanthropy work, but it’s important to help out within the community too,” Fisher said.

Members of Greek chapters have signed up to help organizations like Hattie Larlham, Safer Futures and The Lord’s Pantry.

Greek Community Service Week will run from today to Saturday. Contributors will be awarded points for Greek Week based on their involvement in the week’s events.

“Greeks shaould learn the value of giving your time to someone,” Fisher said. “A lot of times people get lost in fundraising, and this is all just donating time and service to someone who needs your help.”

— Heather Thomas