Phi Psi 500 was our first philanthropy event as a colony. By hosting a pickleball tournament and tricycle race we were able to raise $3,550 for the Tennessee Resettlement Aid.
The Resettlement Aid will help refugees and immigrants in middle Tennessee. The money we raised will help provide culturally appropriate food, clothes, and home goods to those settling into their new life here in Tennessee. We have worked with the Tennessee Resettlement Aid on a weekly basis throughout the year through community service. Developing a personal connection with the people we are helping; every Sunday two brothers help deliver supplies directly to the families’ homes. We hosted the founder of the Resettlement Aid, Katie Finn, at our chapter on March 24th, and she helped us understand the importance of our help.
Phi Psi 500 kicked off with the Pickleball tournament, hosted at the fraternity house. With a $20 signup fee, we aimed to raise around $500 as we expected around 25 teams to join. We overachieved as 32 teams joined, raising $640 for Resettlement Aid. Next year, we aim to have 50 teams competing in a world-cup style formal, guaranteeing that each team plays multiple games.
The tournament brought the Vanderbilt student body and Greek Life family closer together, as two fraternities, four sororities, and non-Greek Life students participated. We hosted the tricycle race on Saturday, March 30th between 10 racers with over 70 spectators. In addition to the race, we rented an ice cream truck to attract people passing by, who often stopped to buy a ticket. On the 30th we raised approximately $600. Both the pickleball tournament and the tricycle race offered rewards such as a JBL Charge 4 and $100 gift cards. We are proud that we were able to re-initiate Tennessee Delta’s commitment to the service of others in our local community.