Sigma Phi Lambda to Host Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday

Celebrating 10 years at the University of Mississippi, the Alpha Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda is hosting Easter events in March, bringing the Oxford community and Ole Miss students together.
Sigma Phi Lambda will raise money on Saturday, March 24, for its national philanthropy, World Vision, through an Easter egg hunt for locals and their children. Starting at 10 a.m., the Ole Miss Intramural Fields, located at Insight Park, will be filled with almost one thousand candy-filled eggs. The group is asking for donations of $5 each and are also providing photos with the Easter Bunny, coloring stations and face painting. All proceeds will be donated to World Vision.
The Christian sorority is also teaming up with The Orchard Oxford to host an Easter Sunday event in the Grove on campus.
This year, Sigma Phi Lambda treasurer and senior Hannah Miceli teamed up with philanthropy chair and junior Savannah Culver to brainstorm fundraising events that would interest everyone. Last semester, a taco night was held for students on campus, but this semester is different.
“As a whole, every chapter of Phi Lamb helps raise money throughout the year for World Vision,” Miceli said. “The organization reaches out to over 100 countries, tackling problems like poverty. It is only fitting that our sorority teams up with local children and families to help less fortunate children and families.”

Since 2010, chapters of Sigma Phi Lambda, located in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida, have raised money for World Vision. According to packets given to chapter treasurers each year, each chapter is required, by the national board, to host an event each school semester to raise money.
In the spring of 2016, the Ole Miss chapter hosted “A Night for a Princess,” inviting girls from the community to dance with sorority members dressed as Disney princesses and have their makeup done. Other fundraising events have focused more on student involvement.
“We have predominantly advertised via social media like Facebook events, Instagram posts and such,” Culver said. “Phi Lamb also reaches out to local churches that our members attend and asks these churches to help promote our event through their announcements and weekly bulletins.”
The sorority is starting a new tradition, including filling up the Grove with everyone in their Sunday best as they help co-host The Orchard Oxford’s Easter service. Previously, the church has hosted the event alone but is now teaming up with Phi Lamb.
“Since the Orchard has been around, members of Phi Lamb have been a part of our church,” Pat Ward, head pastor at The Orchard Oxford said. “It’s not just a service of worship, but an opportunity for us to celebrate Easter with the whole community. That was something Phi Lamb wanted to be a part of too. ”
UM’s Alpha Alpha chapter was founded in 2007. Since then, the group has remained non-Panhellenic and hosts recruitment for female students during the beginning of each semester. The group has 68 active members. They hope to continue hosting community events as the years go on.
“We are expecting a great time for the kiddos,” Culver said. “However, our main goal, both short term and long term, is to raise money and awareness for our philanthropy, World Vision.”
Sigma Phi Lambda also hosts outreach events on campus that are not related to philanthropic activities. In the past, the group of girls has given out free popsicles with Bible verses, encouraging Valentine’s Day cards, and testing materials like scantrons and pencils.
“Not many people know that we’re here since we aren’t associated with the typical ‘Greek life’ on campus, but with outreach events we are able to sort of tell our story,” Miceli said. “We are made up of a lot of pharmacy majors and transfer students. Greek life may not be for everyone, but we have a special group of girls.”
“As a sorority nationally, the 31 chapters we have across the country have raised over $31,000 for World Vision since last semester,” Miceli added. “Even though I am graduating, I can’t wait to keep up with this organization and see the impact that they make.”

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MacKenzie Ross is a journalism major at the University of Mississippi.