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The Daily OrangeGreeks provide safe environment for local children to celebrate Halloween
By Christine Robertson
Posted: 11/1/07, 12:35 AM EST Section: News
Celebrating in costume is nothing new to the greek community. So when young trick-or-treaters from local Syracuse schools went to fraternity and sorority houses in Halloween costume, they were welcomed wholeheartedly.
More than 400 children from the greater Syracuse area participated in the third annual "Greek-or-Treat" Monday afternoon to celebrate Halloween. Children were led around Comstock and Waverly avenues from 3-5 p.m., crunching leaves along their way to stop at 11 different greek houses, where various activities and candy awaited.
"Trick-or-treating for inner-city kids is almost non-existent," said senior Seth Chase, an event organizer. "This is one of the only places for kids to come."
All five greek councils on campus worked together to organize the event.
"This was one of the first times all 44 fraternities and sororities worked together in a non-competitive way," Chase said.
Council on Greek Life, made up of two members from each greek council, acted as liaisons to support greek participation.
Various organizations including recreational facilities, after-school programs and tutoring centers in the Syracuse area were invited to participate in the event. Four of the nine groups of children came from local schools.
"You can tell it's one of their favorite events of the year," said Interfraternity Council President Mike Schottenstein, who walked around with a group of children. "It's something they look forward to."
There were 115 more children at the event than last year.
"At one point, one organization showed up that didn't sign up with 60 kids," said Stefan Johnson, an event organizer. But without missing a beat, the children were accommodated into the walk.
The event was centered around Walnut Park where a communications center was set up to check-in groups and send them on their promenade. As many as 40 greek volunteers from all councils led the children around campus.
The children who participated ranged in age from nine to 12 years, so houses organized events to appeal to all age groups. Each group spent 20 minutes at each location.
Activities included scary story telling, freeze dance, mask decorating, face painting, cookie decorating and a haunted house. True to tradition, the children made a beeline for the candy.
There were three to four greek chapters at each house to make the activities fun for the kids.
"I think they enjoy being with college kids because we're in between peers and adults," Chase said. "We act as role models for them."
Organizers wanted to add an educational element to the event as well. The organization First Book donated 200 books to distribute to the children during the events.
"I remember some of them being really excited about having an extra thing like that," Johnson said.
Because various greek leaders stayed with one group of children, they were able to get to know one another. Greek members felt they mutually benefited from the time spent together.
"It made us appreciate what we sometimes take for granted," Chase said.
More than 400 children from the greater Syracuse area participated in the third annual "Greek-or-Treat" Monday afternoon to celebrate Halloween. Children were led around Comstock and Waverly avenues from 3-5 p.m., crunching leaves along their way to stop at 11 different greek houses, where various activities and candy awaited.
"Trick-or-treating for inner-city kids is almost non-existent," said senior Seth Chase, an event organizer. "This is one of the only places for kids to come."
All five greek councils on campus worked together to organize the event.
"This was one of the first times all 44 fraternities and sororities worked together in a non-competitive way," Chase said.
Council on Greek Life, made up of two members from each greek council, acted as liaisons to support greek participation.
Various organizations including recreational facilities, after-school programs and tutoring centers in the Syracuse area were invited to participate in the event. Four of the nine groups of children came from local schools.
"You can tell it's one of their favorite events of the year," said Interfraternity Council President Mike Schottenstein, who walked around with a group of children. "It's something they look forward to."
There were 115 more children at the event than last year.
"At one point, one organization showed up that didn't sign up with 60 kids," said Stefan Johnson, an event organizer. But without missing a beat, the children were accommodated into the walk.
The event was centered around Walnut Park where a communications center was set up to check-in groups and send them on their promenade. As many as 40 greek volunteers from all councils led the children around campus.
The children who participated ranged in age from nine to 12 years, so houses organized events to appeal to all age groups. Each group spent 20 minutes at each location.
Activities included scary story telling, freeze dance, mask decorating, face painting, cookie decorating and a haunted house. True to tradition, the children made a beeline for the candy.
There were three to four greek chapters at each house to make the activities fun for the kids.
"I think they enjoy being with college kids because we're in between peers and adults," Chase said. "We act as role models for them."
Organizers wanted to add an educational element to the event as well. The organization First Book donated 200 books to distribute to the children during the events.
"I remember some of them being really excited about having an extra thing like that," Johnson said.
Because various greek leaders stayed with one group of children, they were able to get to know one another. Greek members felt they mutually benefited from the time spent together.
"It made us appreciate what we sometimes take for granted," Chase said.
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