The men of SigEp Ohio Theta Chapter at the University of Cincinnati raised a record breaking $15,000 for SmileTrain, an organization that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children in developing countries. The funds were raised through the chapter’s annual Ginger Greek Week competition earlier this month.

In its sixth year, the Cincinnati SigEps  decided it was time to take the annual event to the next level in order to make a larger impact and to help give smiles to even more children in need. Despite only raising $1,500 in 2014, the chapter’s executive committee decided to ramp the 2015 goal up to $10,000.

At the beginning of December, Ginger Greek Week commenced with a holiday movie trivia night, Santa run, and the traditional gingerbread house contest. Together, 133 chapter brothers shattered their  $10,000 goal and raised more than $15,000 for SmileTrain. The success brought excitement and big smiles to the chapter.

“This money will go toward 58 children’s surgeries,” says Andrew Kroeger ’18. “Not only will this forever change their lives, but it will also change the lives of their families and friends.”

The chapter began working to grant children smiles in 2009 when former chapter president, Mark Kroeger ’11, began the philanthropy event. Kroeger was born with a cleft palate and wanted to help children that did not have the access to surgery that he did.

Since 2009, the chapter has grown to love SimeTrain and the work they do. This year, the brothers worked harder than ever during the events, fundraising efforts and even had a brother, Griffin Christensen ’20, created a promotional video.

Since the event’s inception, the Cincinnati SigEps have helped bring smiles to over seventy children’s faces. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by giving smiles far and near,” exclaims Christensen, citing the chapter’s slogan for the campaign.