Fresno State’s Sigma Chi fraternity raised $16,000 for Children’s Hospital Central California through its annual Derby Days philanthropy event.

Fraternity members presented the donation, raised through the help of six Fresno State sororities, to the hospital in Madera.

They were joined by Fresno State President John D. Welty, Miss Clovis Jenny Tormey and Miss Fresno County Elizabeth Farr, both Fresno State students who are members of the participating sororities, and Sigma Chi Sweetheart Katchen Anderson.

The presentation took place in the lobby of the hospital (9300 Valley Children’s Place at Hwy 41).  Following the presentation, the students delivered additional gifts for the children and took a hospital tour.

The three-day Derby Days event held April 22-24 was a competition between Fresno State’s sororities in such challenges as a wall painting, skits and a derby hunt. The money was raised through sales of advertisements, t-shirts, the April 24 dance finale tickets and Children’s Hospital “Miracle Balloons.”

This year’s donation, which breaks the existing record of $13,442 set in 2011, brought Sigma Chi’s total donation to Children’s Hospital Central California to $90,602.18 since Derby Days began 48 years ago.

The fraternity brothers hope to surpass the $100,000 mark next year, said Jacob Olson, philanthropy chair for Sigma Chi.

Six sororities participated by raising $8,100 for the event, eight times the goal, according to Olson with Kappa Kappa Gamma winning the champion title. The other participants were Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Phi Mu, Delta Zeta and Sigma Alpha.

“This donation could not be achieved without the help of the sororities at Fresno State,” he said. “The remaining amount was raised by the dedicated brothers of Sigma Chi.”

In addition to the $16,000 check, Fresno State fraternity students took blankets, toys, coloring books and stuffed animals for the young patients then concluded their event with a tour of the hospital.

“Through all of our continued success with our Derby Days campaign the brothers of Sigma Chi at Fresno State never forget the purpose of the event,” Olson said. “We remember our long standing Derby Day’s motto, ‘It’s For the Kids!’”

For more information, contact Olson at 209.595.1112.

(University Communications news intern Samantha Gibson contributed to this copy).

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