COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
It was anything but a silent night at the Theta Delta Chi fraternity house on Wednesday.
For the second year in a row, Theta Delta Chi is joining with Sigma Kappa to host Reindeer Games at the fraternity's house. About 20 children from the Youth Service Bureau, ranging from ages 5 to 14, attended the event that brought the greek community together with kids whose Christmases are less fortunate.
"With all the hustle and bustle of finals, I think people forget what the holiday spirit is really about," said Bree Shaw, Sigma Kappa philanthropy chairwoman. "It's about giving back to the community, and I want the kids to have a fun time."
Shaw (junior-film and video) worked with Theta Delta Chi Philanthropy Chairman Mike Tombasco (sophomore-finance and economics) to put together the event, which was the first part of their philanthropy and fundraising Christmas event Reindeer Games.
The children arrived at 6 p.m. and sat with members of the fraternity and sorority to eat pizza and Christmas cookies. Afterward, members of Penn Harmonics arrived and sang Disney songs and Christmas carols.
"We feel very comfortable giving them a fun environment here," Tombasco said. "I hope we can give them just a little more than what they would have this holiday season."
Shaw said they asked the Youth Service Bureau for a wish list of a gift each child would like to receive for Christmas. They then went out and bought the gifts, wrapped them and placed them under a Christmas tree in the fraternity house.
After the short concert, the kids scrambled around a Theta Delta Chi brother dressed as Santa Claus to receive their gifts. Waiting until everyone got their presents, the kids opened them at the same time, many of them running to the Youth Center Program worker Penny Horner to show off their toys.
"It's a really great thing for the greek community to help the kids that don't have the opportunity to enjoy the best Christmas," Horner said. "We've been doing this for a few years, and every time I tell the kids they really look forward to it."
The second part of Reindeer Games will take place at 6 tonight, and will feature a gingerbread house contest, relay races and other Christmas-related games that will benefit research for the National Alzheimer's Association. Tombasco encouraged everyone to get in the "Christmas spirit" and attend the fundraiser, which is open to all students.
"Just because you're doing something for somebody doesn't mean it has to be work. It can be a fun time too," Tombasco said. "It's a chance to experience that magic of Christmas."
