The Danforth University Center (DUC) is often filled with the jarring voices of various fraternity and sorority members calling out to students to give money to one charity organization or another, giving out tattoos, bracelets and food.

All Greek organizations host philanthropy events. Some are known for working with specific organizations, others for their deep commitment to raising money and making a difference. Kappa Sigma fraternity is not usually one of these.

In an effort to change its image, Kappa Sigma will be putting more effort than usual into their philanthropy event.

Kappa Sigma will sell Ted Drewes frozen custard in the DUC this week and pizza on the lot during ThurtenE teardown.

They’re not just raising money. They’re gathering funds to give to Habitat for Humanity’s St. Louis chapter, as well as donating their time later in May to build houses for three days.

“This is something new,” Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chair Jon Kornblau said. “In the past, philanthropy has not been one of our strongest points, and we are really trying to improve on that and do something more impactful in the community.”

So far, 13 to 14 brothers have committed to staying after classes end to participate in this project. Each day, eight to 12 people will be donating about nine hours of their time to build a house in Old North St. Louis.

“We thought it would be a lot easier to get people to stay and do it if it were in St. Louis. It’s an easy way to engage our community,” former Philanthropy Chair Kurt Wall said. Wall said that this is an event he would like to see happen every year.

Next year, Wall hopes that the event will not only continue, but also expand to the community. Kappa Sig hopes to make the event during the year so that more people can participate, and perhaps open the event to non-Kappa Sig members.

Before choosing Habitat for Humanity, the brothers tossed around a few other ideas focused mostly on collaboration with other Greek groups and fundraising. In the end, they settled on something that would give them more of a hands-on experience in the field.

“It was something we think can really make a tangible difference, and we can see our results as opposed to just raising money for a cause and not seeing exactly how the money gets used,” Kornblau said.

The build will take place May 19, 21 and 22.