The Kappa Zeta Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Georgia Southern hosted its first annual 9/11 Memorial 5k Fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon, September 11, 2024. The men of the fraternity set out to honor and remember those who lost their lives that tragic day 23 years ago, while also celebrating and raising money for the Statesboro Fire Department.
The 5k took place at 5pm on Greek Row, where hundreds came together to race and show their support. 260 people signed up for the race, with many others there to see the brothers and cheer on their friends as they were crossing the finish line.
The start and finish line resided in the Kappa Sigma front yard, where runners gathered to take pictures after their three mile journey through campus.
John Wood, a junior in the chapter, first had the idea to host this event and raise money for the Statesboro Fire Department.
“I knew this was something we needed to do because I feel as if sometimes as college students, we overlook the Statesboro community because most of us are not from here. As a fraternity we have the numbers and ability to do some really impactful things, and I can’t wait to keep planning more events like this one,” Wood said. “I called Parker and Bryce with the idea about three weeks ago, and they were fully committed to helping me pull this off. I couldn’t have imagined a better turn out for the first time we have ever done this event.”
Parker Hobson, president of the chapter, is currently serving his second term as the president as he awaits his graduation this December.
“We love being able to support any cause that we can all get together and raise some money for. Our fire department probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves so we wanted to change that. I knew that when John first called us with the idea it needed to be an annual event we put on for all of Greek Row and the Statesboro community,” Hobson said. “I’m sort of an old man in this fraternity, and I’m about to be handing the chapter off to these younger guys, so I love to see the ambition and drive of a John Wood who decided he was going to make this event happen, and it was a bigger success than we could have hoped for.”
Bryce Clenney, treasurer and social chair of the chapter, worked hand in hand with John Wood to promote the event and make sure the chapter had the full support of the community.
“We wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to show their support whether that be by running, donating, or just coming to hang out at the house and see the event. None of this would have been possible without the help of our local businesses like The Hamptons, Southern Social, Blue Room, along with many other family businesses and almost all of Greek Row coming together,” Clenney said. “I love to see how impactful Georgia Southern Greek Life can truly be, and it was awesome to see members of every single fraternity and sorority at the same place for one common goal of helping accomplish something bigger than themselves.”
The event concluded around 7pm with fraternity and sorority members from all of Greek Row conversing after the race and saying their goodbyes. Kappa Sigma’s 9/11 5k Fundraiser raised over $5,000 for the Statesboro Fire Department. This event will also take place next 9/11 as the men of Kappa Zeta aim to make this a tradition.
The chapter looks to do many more philanthropy events throughout the school year, most importantly its annual Lip Sync Week benefiting Military Heroes this spring, which is rumored to be the “biggest and best” Lip Sync Week that the chapter has ever seen.
