WKU News

WKU President Timothy C. Caboni and Alpha Omicron Pi member Kelsey Bramlett at the 2019 Greek Week Blood Drive.

Each year, WKU Greeks host their annual Greek Week, a week filled with various competitions where chapters compete against one another for bragging rights. Two philanthropic competitions, the Greek Week Blood Drive and CanStruction Food Competition, made major impacts in the Bowling Green community and southern Kentucky region.

This year’s blood drive competition raised 1,490 pints of blood for the American Red Cross. This blood drive is the largest in the Kentucky/Tennessee area and is one of the largest for the Red Cross in the entire country; this blood drive has taken place for over 40 years and has been a major part of Greek Week. 

“I think it’s really great because it really brings WKU’s community together, as well as the Bowling Green community,” said Kylie Schaefer, the 2019 Female Greek Week Chair. 

Andrew Rash, WKU Greek Advisor, noted, “The 1,490 pints is the most pints in eight years and is one of the top amounts we’ve ever collected.” 

Greek community impact was further demonstrated through the donation of cans to the Bowling Green Realtors Hope for Homeless Can Food Drive. All foods are distributed to Hotel Inc.’s Manna Mart and to Family Resources Centers in Warren County, Bowling Green, Allen County, Logan County, Russellville, Simpson County, Butler County and Edmonson County schools.  These Family Resource Centers provide food to students to have for weekends, school breaks and snow days. 

This year, the WKU Greek Community donated more than 132,000 cans, more than doubling the previous record in previous Greek Weeks.  In the four years of its existence, the total cans raised during Greek Week has increased from 27,000 cans in 2016, 47,000 cans in 2017, 61,000 cans in 2018 to 132,000 cans in 2019. 

“The amount of cans our Greeks have been able to raise is absolutely phenomenal,” Rash said. “I’m so impressed by the difference our Greek men and women keep making for Bowling Green and surrounding communities.  I look forward to continuing this amazing Greek Week tradition.”

Contact: Andrew Rash, andrew.rash@wku.edu