The Eastern Greek community is gearing up for its annual Greek Week and will take part in a service day at a local elementary school.

As a part of this year’s Greek Week, sororities and fraternities will send members to Jefferson Elementary School to take part in “Jefferson Fun Day.”

Dean Harwood, director of fraternity and sorority programs, said the Greek community has had a service day at Jefferson Elementary School for years.

“(Fun Day has) always been an important part of Greek Week here at Eastern,” Harwood said. “Service and philanthropy is a core value in our fraternity and sorority program.”

According to the Greek Week website, each sorority and fraternity sends nine people throughout the day to Jefferson to play with the children in fourth through sixth grades.

The day consists of a variety of relay races, games and a craft section.

The students will also make crafts to send to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Danny Naatz, a senior communication studies major, said he has always enjoyed the service day during Greek Week.

Naatz, a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, said the day is full of activities for all of the children.

“The kids compete in a bunch of different events and it’s nice because every kid is involved.” Naatz said. “From children with learning disabilities to kids who are physically disabled, everyone gets to do something.”

Kellie Rice, a freshman family and consumer sciences major, said she is looking forward to her first Greek Week and service day.

“We will get to interact with all of the kids and it makes our day just being there and being able to help out the Charleston community,” said Rice, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Jefferson Fun Day will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 12 in the gymnasium of Jefferson.

“I like to see the impact the Greek community has on the local community,” Naatz said.

Naatz said this time of year is always busy for students, but said it is easy to find time to for service, especially if it is playing kick ball or making cards with children.

Avery Drake can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].