Make a difference, grant a child’s wish

Although most of us in the Daily Cougar newsroom think that sororities and fraternities do nothing but party and wear popped collars, it seems that all of them collect money for charities, and are actually quite philanthropic.

Chi Omega is hosting its eighth annual Wish Week, putting on a different fundraiser every day for seven days. All of the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish foundation. For those that don’t know, Make-A-Wish grants children with life-threatening diseases a chance to ask for anything they want, and then gives it to them. The organization has granted over 200,000 wishes since it was founded in 1980.

Last year, the Chi-Os raised enough money to grant their own wish instead of just donating the money to the foundation. They (along with the help of their alumni) sent an 11-year-old Houstonian named Maddy to South Africa for the World Cup. It was a big deal — and the events this year have done even better than the ones last year.

But the week is only halfway over. Today Chi Omega is hosting Dishes for Wishes at the Chick-Fil-A at the corner of Kirby and Highway 59. 15 percent of their proceeds go to Make-A-Wish — but you have to say that you’re supporting Dishes for Wishes, otherwise no money is donated.

However, the big fundraisers take place this weekend. The sorority is hosting Walk for Wishes, a 3K run on the track behind the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Admission is $10 and the run starts at 8 a.m. Saturday. Sunday is the last (and biggest) event — Swishes for Wishes. It’s a basketball tournament for both guys and girls, and although registration is already over, tickets for the event are only $2.

Now, we can’t make you guys go out and support these people, but think of the children. All students complain about their busy schedules now and then, but these kids are dealing with life-and-death issues on a daily basis. For the cost of two dollar-menu items, you can use your money for something that’s actually worthwhile.

So it’s up to you to decide which one is more chill — something fast, cheap and greasy, or something that can make a sick child feel better.