The following post is a guest blog from the College Panhellenic at Clemson University.
As 2021 began, Clemson Panhellenic saw the effects that the pandemic had on our local community, and we knew this was the time to make a significant impact in our area. In order to do this, we decided to make a shift in our philanthropy efforts and choose to work with a local organization named GirlUp GVL. Their organization strives to empower girls with positive formative experiences. They allow women to express themselves, while also guiding them through their adolescent years. More importantly, GirlUp GVL perfectly aligns with the National Panhellenic Conference’s values and purpose. Soon after discovering our organizations had similar ideals, a partnership was born.
GirlUp GVL is located in Greenville, South Carolina, conveniently only 35 minutes away from our main Clemson University campus. They offer free after-school/summer programs and assist their girls with practical needs in the areas of school, jobs and life. GirlUp GVL aims to provide a continued investment from middle school through the girl’s high school years.
Our partnership with GirlUP GVL is twofold: fundraising and service. We conduct fundraising events for them such as proceeds nights, Krispy Kreme donut sales and candy grams to help meet their fundraising needs. Additionally, we engage our own Panhellenic members in community service projects with their organizations. Our members have the opportunity to not only assist the middle schoolers with after-school tutoring on a weekly basis but also each Clemson Panhellenic chapter was assigned a service project to fulfill this year. These service projects have ranged from repainting their picnic tables to providing fitness classes or creating PR materials for GirlUp GVL.
The results from this partnership have been insurmountable. We have raised $7,514.50 and received over 2,000 donated items for GirlUp GVL in only three short months. We have also been able to actively engage members of all 12 Panhellenic chapters to tutor GirlUp GVL members or be involved in their chapter’s service project. The chapter service projects have allowed our women to feel a sense of ownership in this partnership because they physically see the difference they are making in the lives of the young women at GirlUp GVL. We are excited to see where this partnership takes us for the rest of the year and the difference we can continue to invoke in our community!
If you or your Panhellenic are thinking of partnering with a local organization, I highly encourage you to do it! It has been such a rewarding experience here at Clemson University for the Panhellenic community.
Huge shout out to our vice president of philanthropy and service for spearheading these efforts this past year. She has been incredible at establishing this new partnership with GirlUp GVL.
Follow along with the Clemson University College Panhellenic by visiting their Instagram.
