NSU’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, commonly known as Fiji, is hosting Fijianthropy — a three-day weekend of philanthropic events, from Feb. 14 to 16.
Fiji’s Community Service Chairman Aadil Vora, senior biology major, said, “It’s an opportunity for students to make an impact in the community because all of our community service and philanthropy objectives are to work with other organizations on campus and strengthen the community.”
On Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, Fiji members will sell roses with members of Delta Phi Epsilon in the Don Taft University Center from 8 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Roses will be $2 each or $20 for a dozen. Proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for Research.
The event on Feb. 15, Cardio with Cupid, will focus on cardio fitness and will be held around the Gold Circle Lake from 2 to 4 p.m. Fiji is collaborating with the Pre-Medical Society to raise awareness about heart disease and to bring the community together. This is a free event and food and water will be provided. Vora said they are expecting around 200 people based on the number of members in the Pre-Med Society and Greek Life that are supposed to attend .
Janelle Alvarez, junior biology major and member of the Pre-Medical Society, said, “It’s a chance for the community to get together. It’s a networking opportunity, and it’s also a chance to just have fun.”
From 5 to 8 p.m. at the pagoda in front of The Commons Residence Hall on Feb. 16, Fiji will host Dodge that Chicken, a dodgeball game where rubber chickens are used instead of dodgeballs. Students interested in participating should form teams of four to six people and choose a nonprofit organization that they want to represent. The registration fee is $12 per team and the proceeds will go toward the winning team’s chosen non-profit organization.
Vora said that Fijianthropy is Fiji’s initiative to become an official chapter of the national fraternity and to start their new tradition of philanthropy and community service within NSU.
To become a chartered fraternity, Fiji has to demonstrate that they are a viable group of students who can contribute to the community and participate in philanthropy.
“The kind of community service and philanthropy that we want to do is the kind that individuals [alone] would not normally be able to do,” Vora said, “We are a group of 40 guys and a group of 40 guys can really make a big change.”
For more information or to register for Dodge that Chicken, contact Vora at av520@nova.edu or at 510-451-4351.
