The Sigma Chi fraternity at Pepperdine held Derby Days, a weeklong fundraiser Oct. 22 through Oct. 26. The fraternity raised a little more than $35,000 for the City of Hope Cancer Research Foundation and Children’s Hospital.
Derby Days originally began in 1991, the same year that the Kappa Omicron chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity was founded at Pepperdine. For the duration of the week, sorority members competed to score a derby hat from one of the fraternity members.
“We are going to give our derbies to the girls who we feel did the most for City of Hope without just writing a check,” said Derby Days Chairman Allen Mitchell.
Generally, the sorority girls buy toys, give blood or make cards for the children with cancer. Whichever woman wins the derby is decided by the Sigma Chi or pledge based on their own judgment of which girl did the most for the City of Hope.
The sorority that earns the most points by the end of the week is the overall winner of Derby Days. Points are awarded for their participation in events throughout the week. Kappa Kappa Gamma continued their winning streak this year by winning for the tenth year in a row.
“It’s truly unbelievable all the help that Derby Days has given to City of Hope and to be part of something like this is so rewarding,” said Kappa Philanthropy Chair Stefania Monsalve.
Sigma Chi members were stationed at a tent set up in the lower Adamson Plaza by the rock throughout the week. To signify that cancer never sleeps, both fraternity and sorority members were required to constantly keep a seesaw dubbed the “Sig Saw” in motion.
Money jars were available to collect donations for the philanthropy.
Sororities could earn points by participating in events such as “Sign a Sig,” skit night and Powder Puff Football.
Sorority members camped out at the Rock, through rain and shine, to earn points and support the fraternity and their philanthropy. Points were also awarded for buying T-shirts and sweats bearing the name of the fraternity and this year’s theme, Electric Derby Carnival based on the rave Electric Daisy Carnival.
Mitchell began planning the event in August and insists that all his hard work was worth it.
“This event is not about which sorority wins or loses this event … It’s about doing something that’s bigger than ourselves,” Mitchell said. Mitchell joined the fraternity last year.
