Miami University Greek Life Lights Up Oxford

BY ISABELLE HANSON
Miami University journalism student

Holiday lights illuminate the houses and streets of Oxford, Ohio. Trees wrapped in lights on High Street twinkle, while decorated fraternity houses brighten the night sky.

The decorations spread Christmas cheer. But, the purpose behind some of these decorations shines a light on the holiday spirit of giving.

Hannah Silverman, Miami senior and member of Alpha Phi sorority, founded Light Fight as a way to conjoin the Miami Greek Life community with the Oxford community. For the third annual year, fraternities and sororities pair and decorate fraternity houses. Seventeen fraternities and 13 sororities participated this year.

“Showing that Greek life does do positive things and that we’re working on those positive things with the community has really, really been beneficial,” said Silverman.

Fraternities and sororities donate $150 to participate for a chance to win a cash prize of $100 if voted the best decorated house by a panel of judges. The Light Fight booth at the annual Oxford Holiday Festival encourages community donations. The Greek community gifts the total combination of money raised to the Oxford Community Choice Pantry. Light Fight also collected hygiene products for the Pantry.

Bob Ratterman, director of Oxford Community Choice Pantry, says Oxford residents and Miami students and faculty are generous with their time, money and donations.

“There are student groups, some of the service sororities and fraternities and different groups will just all of a sudden show up with food. And it’s on an annual basis. They want to be a part of the community, and they want to help other people. It’s neat to see. It really is,” said Ratterman.

'Like a grocery store'

Ratterman says the Light Fight monetary donation will be used to purchase food to keep shelves stocked. As a choice pantry, the Pantry operates like a grocery store. Clients, with assistance from volunteers with the job of Shopping Assistants, shop the aisles labeled by category. Household size determines the amount of items clients select from each category. For example, a household of three selects three choices from the grain category. Shopping Assistants also recommend foods for household dietary needs and promote healthy options.

To shop, households must reside in the Talawanda School District and meet federal income guidelines. Approximately 300 households visit the Pantry each month.

Ann Fuehrer, volunteer and member of the Pantry board, believes every person deserves to have basic needs met.

“Very often people who come here are embarrassed to come. They don't come unless they really have to. They feel badly that they aren't making enough money that they can't make it on their own. I really try to understand that and minimize the embarrassment that people feel,” said Fuehrer.

Community is generous

Fuehrer encourages clients to shop twice a month to save money for other necessary expenses. She says there is no shortage of food, because the Oxford community is generous.

Light Fight contributes to the stocked pantry shelves. This year, approximately $4,500 will be donated. In its first year, Light Fight raised $3,000 and last year $4,000.

"It’s amazing to me that even today I will mention we have been open 10 years and, I’ll mention something about the Pantry, and people will say, ‘What, we have a Pantry in town?’ It has been growing. The awareness has been growing. But the community has been right along with us,” said Ratterman.

This story was produced for a Miami University broadcast journalism class.