Join the wet and wild fun
Anchorsplash to raise money for Service for Sight

February 20, 2004
by Ali Seger
Staff Reporter

Beginning on Feb. 23, teams will be flooding the pool to practice for Anchorsplash.

From serenading the Delta Gamma sisters to a synchronized swimming competition, the various Greek organizations will come together for camaraderie and philanthropy.

Anchorsplash is a weeklong event sponsored by Delta Gamma sorority to raise funds for their philanthropy, Service for Sight, which aids the visually impaired. Teams from various organizations on campus compete throughout the week in different events for points.

For now, only Greek organizations have teams participating for points in Anchorsplash. According to Lyndsay Paskvan, Ithaca junior and organizer of this year’s Anchorsplash, invitations were sent to many organizations on campus, but only fraternities and sororities decided to participate in the events.

Some events for the week include delivering flowers and candy to members of Delta Gamma sorority, a penny war in the KC, and Walk for Warmth. The week concludes on Feb. 28 with the Anchorsplash synchronized swimming competition.

When Anchorsplash first appeared on Albion’s campus in the 1960s, it was a one-day event. Beth Walton, Holland senior and Delta Gamma member, organized a week full of events for the first time in 2002, according to Paskvan.

The national Delta Gamma fraternity has recognized Albion’s chapter as one of their largest contributors to Service for Sight.

"It’s really something special that a small college like Albion can be so helpful to such an important organization," Paskvan said. "We’re a small school and still at the top for contributions. Other schools that are much bigger have Anchorsplash as well, some even have a weeklong event like ours. But Albion [College] really gets into it and we raise a lot of money for the foundation."

The contributions raised during Anchorsplash help support Service for Sight in a variety of ways. The money is used to buy glasses and other aids for individuals with a visual impairment. Some money is used to support research about glaucoma and other issues associated with optics. The rest goes toward educating people about the prevention of visual impairment as well as different vision risk factors such as those associated with diabetes.

Many events during the week, like the e-mailing of eye safety tips around campus, are directly related to optical issues. Others, like the penny wars, are ways to raise additional money to go toward the philanthropy. There are a few events, such as the search for hidden anchors around campus, that provide a way to facilitate bonding between different Greek organizations.

The most recognized event of the week is the synchronized swimming event on Saturday. Many of the observers are Albion students who are not affiliated with a fraternity or sorority. The synchronized swimming starts at 2 p.m. in the Dow Aquatic Center and tickets cost $1 from a Delta Gamma member or $2 at the door.

The winning fraternity and winning sorority at the end of the week each receive a trophy as well as being treated to a spaghetti dinner.

However, the real winners are those helped by the contributions made to Service for Sight.