The Colorado State Chapter is opening its home to the community this holiday season to help collect toys for local needy children. The group was looking for a new idea for a philanthropic project this winter, and Jon DiGiorgio, ’12, suggested putting on a show for members of the campus and community, decking the house with Christmas lights and synchronizing them to music. And 121’s Winter Wonderland, a reference to the chapter’s address at 121 E. Lake Street, was born.
On five December days, the chapter will open its house to the community and offer more than just a light show. Guests can meet chapter members, indulge in some hot cider, meet Santa, and, most importantly, fill Santa’s sleigh with a bundle of gifts that will be donated to Toys for Tots. While nobody in the chapter had experience putting on a lightshow like this, the 60 brothers who helped work on the project learned quickly on the fly. The chapter’s housing corporation gave the undergraduates $600 to purchase an FM transmitter and light synchronizer. The brothers scrounged around town looking for donations to purchase lights and extension cords. The end result is not only a great show, but a project the whole chapter can be proud of.
“All the Greek philanthropies are focused on including our Greek community, but no one reaches out and includes the whole town of Fort Collins,” said Vice President of Communications Mitch Snow, ‘14. “I think it’s huge. We asked some members of the community what they thought of the show and it took away the stereotype that fraternities usually have and showed that there’s a purpose in things that we do.”
Note: Please be careful if your chapter plans to put lights up on any chapter house this holiday season. Always be sure to have proper safeguards in place, including ladders and spotters. Never climb onto a roof by yourself, or when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Follow all policies your university has in place regarding roof safety.
