MSU’s Kappa Sigma Fraternity raises record $556K during Charity Bowl
Contact: Brock Turnipseed
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s Kappa Sigma Fraternity set university and Southeastern Conference records with the most money raised during a single fraternity or sorority philanthropy event this past month, collecting $556,000 for the Jackson-based Reclaimed Project during the 26th annual Charity Bowl.
Proceeds from the football game, held at Davis Wade Stadium, benefit the organization and its partner communities in Lesotho, Africa, and the Mississippi Delta community of Marks. The organization partners with communities to invest in young people, equipping them with the tools to become leaders while developing solutions dedicated to their spiritual, emotional and physical development. In Lesotho, the Reclaimed Project has developed and constructed orphan-care centers, job-development initiatives, churches, schools and housing.
Thirty-five undergraduate members of MSU’s Kappa Sigma chapter had the opportunity over spring break to see the benefits of their philanthropy, as they traveled to Lesotho to work on various construction projects in the region, including projects at the Reclaimed English Medium Academy.
“These efforts open doors for local children and orphans who might not otherwise have access to education,” said Nick House, MSU Kappa Sigma president. “Providing them with the opportunity to learn empowers them to pursue higher education or become future leaders within their villages.”
House said the group separated into three crews: a concrete crew that constructed an entrance road, a brick-laying crew that laid pavers along the road of the administrative buildings and a third that formed and poured culverts to prepare construction of future roads.
This year’s trip continued the work of previous Kappa Sigma chapters in the area.
“The locals live with far less than we are accustomed to, yet their joy and sense of community are abundant,” House said. “Their resilience and gratitude teach us to appreciate what we often take for granted. Witnessing the impact of past efforts reaffirms that our work is creating meaningful, lasting change, proving that true fulfillment comes from community and compassion rather than material wealth.”
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity hosted a flag football tournament in partnership with the Charity Bowl, raising more than $3,700 for the Ability Experience, a philanthropic initiative empowering people living with disabilities.
To learn more about the Reclaimed Project and Ability Experience, visit www.reclaimedproject.org and www.abilityexperience.org, respectively.
The MSU Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is available online at www.greeks.msstate.edu.
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