Philanthropy and Service
Every FarmHouse man has spoken of a “commitment of service to his fellowmen and to the world,” and the Illinois Chapter lives up to that statement through our involvement in philanthropic projects. Each year, members of FarmHouse participate in Greek sponsored philanthropies that include, paintball competitions, dodgeball tournaments, water games, and basketball tournaments just to name a few. These events allow our members to get know other members of the Greek system, to participate in friendly competition, and to help all varieties of charities and organizations.
In addition, we sponsor a philanthropy called Bags for Babes, which involves a giant bags tournament for members of the Greek community and campus. This past year we had over 30 teams and donated over $1300 to the Crisis Nursery.
Our community involvement in volunteerism is just as reputable as our campus involvement. In the past, we have set up a petting zoo for the local retirement home, organized a blood drive with the Red Cross, and volunteered at the Urbana Sweet Corn Festival. This community involvement has continually made FarmHouse a revered community organization and that long-standing reputation is part of the honor our members feel with their association to the Fraternity.
Bags 4 Babes
Bags 4 Babes is philanthropy event that the Illinois Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity hosts each fall semester to support the Crisis Nursery of Champaign. Annually, FarmHouse hosts the event which includes a cookout followed by a bags tournament that is open to the public. The whole event is held in the parking lot of FarmHouse in Urbana. Bags 4 Babes began several years ago with each year being more successful than the last. In the past, the event has had more than 30+ teams compete and we have been able to donate thousands of dollars over the years to the Crisis Nursery.
Urbana Sweet Corn Festival
At the beginning of each school year, the Men of FarmHouse have the privilege of participating in the Annual Urbana Sweet Corn Festival. It has become a tradition for the new pledge class along with several other members to volunteer during one of the evenings of the festival. Since many of the participants are freshman at the University of Illinois, this is there first exposure to the neighborhood. It also provides an opportunity for the new pledge class and chapter members to meet and interact with one another. Members of FarmHouse are able to get involved in all parts of the sweet corn sales from shucking to boiling to buttering to serving. Even though preparing and serving sweet corn requires a lot of work, everyone has lots of fun and enjoys themselves at the festival. Each year, the organizers complement our group on being one of the biggest and best groups that helps them out. It is almost certain that FarmHouse will actively participate in the festival for years to come.
Other Philanthropy and Service Opportunities
The "S" in FarmHouse stands for Service. As a result, FarmHouse members make it a priority to be involved in community service and philanthropy opportunities. We believe that it is important to give back to the community we live in. The Men of FarmHouse are all involved in a wide variety of community service opportunities. FarmHouse organizes blood drives, does roadside clean-ups as part of Adopt-A-Highway, and volunteers at Allerton Park, just to name a few. Furthermore, members also participate in many of the fraternity and sorority philanthropies that are hosted each semester. These philanthropies are a lot of fun for everyone and each one supports a good cause.
