Social fraternity donates big:
Story and Photos by Hayleigh Syens
It’s not every Friday afternoon that the brothers of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon suit up.
This year, Queen of Hearts co-chair Brady Oates introduced a new fundraising effort.
But this past Friday was different: The brothers were presenting a check for $17,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Iowa.
The donation is the result of a wildly successful philanthropy effort by Sig Ep this year.
Queen of Hearts, Sig Ep’s annual philanthropy, has been around since 2001.
“Our chapter had just gotten back onto campus and we had a brother, Eric Grunzinger. He was diagnosed with leukemia. He unfortunately didn't win that battle,” said Dan Pfeifle, Queen of Hearts co-chair. “The chapter decided that from then on, their philanthropy efforts would go to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Iowa, kind of in a way to remember him.”
The specific events making up Queen of Hearts week have changed over the years, from talent shows and dunk tanks to senior skits and brothers shaving their heads.
However, the big event, a softball tournament at the end of the week, has stayed consistent.
“That was the original event for Eric: playing softball. They raised money for his family and treatments. He passed away, but since then, we've continued on,” Pfeifle said.
