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December 8, 2011

Greeks donate over 1,200 canned goods after successful Songfest

The University of Louisiana at Monroe Office of Greek Life recently donated over 1,200 canned food items to the Northeast Louisiana Food bank. The donation will be used to provide local underprivileged families with food this holiday season.

"With the rocky nationwide economy, Greek Life wanted to do its part and make sure local area children would have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas this year," said Keith Hembree, ULM Greek advisor.

"We feel that families are feeling the ill effects of the economy and wanted to do what we could to help promote the 'spirit of giving' in Monroe."

The canned goods raised to make this donation possible were collected at the Greek Songfest held Nov. 14 on the ULM campus.

Over 500 ULM students and faculty were in attendance along with members of the community.

Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity won first place in the competition and performed their award-winning routine at The City of Monroe's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held at the Civic Center Dec. 3.

Second place was given to Phi Mu Fraternity and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity secured a third place win.

"Greek Songfest is a great way for all 16 of ULM's fraternities and sororities to show Greek unity and support while participating in a little friendly competition," Hembree said

"We hope to continue this event as an annual one at ULM for years to come.

"Peppers Tree Farm in West Monroe was gracious enough to provide us with a nine-foot tree for the event.

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers sponsored food and beverages at the event.

Supporters of Songfest included The City of Monroe, the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts, local comedian Robert Powell, the ULM Panhellenic Council, the ULM National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the ULM Interfraternity Council.

They helped make the event a huge success by donating their time and resources.

"All of ULM's Greek chapters are very involved with service learning and community service," Hembree continued. "We live by the ideals of 'Unity,' 'Leadership,' and 'Motivation,' which are the three major principles of the adopted ULM Creed."

ULM's Greek chapters have accumulated over 8,000 hours of service during the Fall 2011 semester alone, according to Hembree.

For more information on the ULM Panhellenic Council, contact Keith Hembree, the ULM Greek advisor, at 318-342-5289 or at greeks@ulm.edu.

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