The Inter Greek Council at Utica College held its sixth annual fundraiser Adopt A Classroom throughout the month of October, raising a total of $562 in tandem with the several Greek organizations on campus.

The proceeds will be donated to students attending Kernan Elementary School which will directly benefit 75 first graders with masks, school supplies and winter attire with the cold months approaching.

Each item will be wrapped and presented to the students this week.

“For the smaller orgs it’s harder to raise more money so that’s why we weren’t sticklers about at least $50,” Senior and IGC President Lindsey Rasmussen said. “My sorority did a Dunkin raffle because one of the girls in Kappa works at Dunkin so we got the basket from her. I know Theta Phi did a gift card raffle and Chi Beta did a social media campaign to raise money.”

The materials traditionally have been used to serve children from underserved areas, which has only been amplified as a result of the pandemic. Rasmussen and IGC Advisor Frances Lucia drove the initiative forward and continue to appreciate the fact that the proceeds impact the local community.

Denise DiSpirito, the principal at Kernan Elementary, appreciated the fact that IGC held this fundraiser in the face of a pandemic, noting that some of the fundraising tactics might have been challenging, but ultimately went toward a great cause.

“We are continually looking for ways to impact our students—academically, socially and physically,” DiSpirito said. “We are very proud of the partnership we have with Utica College’s IGC. It is wonderful to know that they think about my students and their needs and find a way to make magic happen in order to supply hats and gloves for our little ones.” 

After receiving the items, DiSpirito plans to deliver the items right to the first grade students, many of whom, according to her, start to grow at a rapid pace at that age.

“They grow like weeds at this age,” she said. “Parents will be thrilled, too.”

The news comes during a busy month for the Greeks during October, as sorority Chi Beta Sigma led the total number of donations for the Domestic Violence Awareness Drive, an initiative that helps survivors of domestic violence.

Going forward, IGC doesn’t have much planned according to Rasmussen, who plans to simply take things as they come.

“Going into the spring semester we don’t have a ton set in stone because everything is always changing but we are just focused on getting a plan to recruit and pledge for next semester and for everything else we are taking it as it comes,” she said.