KINGSTON, R.I. — November 17, 2005 — The University of Rhode Island Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils combined fundraising efforts during their recent “Philanthropy Week.”

Those efforts paid off in a big way. Together, the fraternity and sorority organizations raised $6,500, which they donated to URI’s Katrina Habitat for Humanity House Fund.

The fund’s goal is to raise $70,000 to sponsor the building of a home for a family affected by the devastating damage of recent hurricanes in the Gulf area. Once the goal is met, URI students will participate in building the sponsored house.

URI’s fraternities and sororities held a number of fundraising events during the week, the most successful philanthropy week to date.

The students were sponsored by area businesses, including Kingston Pizza, Lai Lai, Daniel B’s Bar and Grill, Bagelz, Pizza Pocket, Mexican Grill, New Dragon, Spikes, Tim Horton’s, Subway, and Entertainment Cinemas.

Anyone in the community wishing to contribute to the fund should make checks out to “URI” and deliver to the Clearinghouse for Volunteers, Room 125, Roosevelt Hall or mail to 90 Lower College Rd., Suite 12, Kingston, R.I. 02881. If community members or community organizations would like to get involved, call 874-2568 or cfv@etal.uri.edu.

Photo cutline

CHECKING IT OUT! Jayne Richmond, dean of URI’s University College; Fran Cohen, URI’s assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students; M. Beverly Swan, URI’s provost and vice president of academic affairs; Kristen Ahern, nursing student and Philanthropy Week chair for the Panhellenic Council, Kurtis Anderson, a microbiology student and Philanthropy Week chair for the Intrafraternity Council; Merith Weisman-Ross; coordinator Feinstein Center for Service Learning; Evelyn Dvorak of South County Habitat for Humanity; and Steve Simo, director, Greek Affairs, Office of Student Life.

URI News Bureau Photo by Michael Salerno.