Local fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha hosted its annual philanthropy event — Watermelon Bust — on Oct. 4, attended by a large crowd of 1,400 people outside their fraternity house. Watermelon Bust is a competition between all the sororities on campus, consisting of field event games with watermelon themes, a volleyball tournament, and most importantly a canned food drive. 

This event was truly a gathering of multiple local companies coming together to better the community. The event couldn't have been done without the 90 watermelons used in events such as the watermelon relay race, the seed spitting contest, and the watermelon drop. These watermelons were donated by a local company. The bleachers that surround the Lambda Chi volleyball court were provided by The RoArk Group, Inc. Truly a coming together of Northwest Arkansas companies and University of Arkansas students to better local families.

About LifeSource Inc.: LifeSource Inc. is a nonprofit in Fayetteville located off School Avenue that strives to feed, clothe, and advance the lives of local people in need. According to the CEO of LifeSource, their mission is to "strengthen families and build communities. We do that by helping our neighbors with our food pantry, clothing closet, kids' life and adult education programs, counseling, and our senior Saturdays." Anytime you visit, you will see University of Arkansas students volunteering their time, making it the perfect non-profit to partner for such an event as Watermelon Bust.

What Lambda Chi Alpha Has Meant to LifeSource 

Lambda Chi has been donating canned foods to LifeSource for over a decade now. In 2016, the fraternity won the Bill Allen volunteer of the year award that LifeSource presents to the most helpful person or organization in that calendar year. When asked what Lambda Chi's philanthropy has meant to LifeSource over the years, CEO Jimmie Conduff responded by saying, "The gift of a single can is already more than what we had the day before, so the gift of almost 5 months of canned foods is huge. It is huge not only for our non-profit, but for all of our neighbors in need as well. Lambda Chi has been a staple in enabling us to give food to our neighbors in need for approximately the past 12 years. It is organizations like Lambda Chi that enable our neighbors to live, and for that we are greatly thankful." 

Why Would a Fraternity Care About Philanthropy?

The men at Lambda Chi have worn their hearts on their sleeves for the community for as long as I can remember. When given a stage to make a difference in the community that represents their days in college, they run to the opportunity. Every canned food item can make the life of someone in need a little easier, and the men at Lambda Chi understand that, and do their best to make lives in Fayetteville easier for everyone. Watermelon Bust was a success this year and will be a success for the years to come. When one fraternity can raise over 22,000 cans in a day to feed families in need for the next 5 months, it shows how impactful one idea and multiple college students can be for the community surrounding them.