The effects of the August 2010 flood have not ended for the Boys and Girls Club of Ames. But the men of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity have a plan to help.

The first Phi Psi Sliders philanthropy will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, 316 Lynn Ave. Members will serve hamburgers, in addition to chips, ice cream and walking tacos from Taco Time during the event. Veggie burgers will be available.

“We are beyond excited to finally host an event that will hopefully be well-known around not only the greek community, but Ames in general,” said Travis Ziemke, Phi Kappa Psi philanthropy chair and junior in advertising. “Our chapter is based upon our motto, ‘The great joy of serving others.'”

“Our national affiliate is the Boys and Girls Club; we are fortunate enough to have a club in our very town,” Ziemke said. “We visit their club on a weekly basis just to hang out and play games with the kids there. People should be aware of our event because we want to finally do something more than just visit; we want to give back financially as well.”

Proceeds will “go toward rebuilding the Boys and Girls Club of Ames’ facility for the kids after the flood hit in August and caused major damage to the building,” said Henry Wang, member of the chapter and senior in art and design.

Members participate in personal activities with children at the center when they volunteer.

“We typically will join in on activities ranging from basketball to ping pong to Legos,” said Michael Good, member of Phi Kappa Psi and junior in political science. “It’s always fun to spend a couple hours with the kids.”

But the aid doesn’t end with volunteering. Will Higgins, member of Phi Kappa Psi and freshman in mechanical engineering, is proud of the chapter’s most recent contribution to the Boys and Girls Club: participation of three teams in the organization’s Shoot the Rock Around the Clock basketball tournament.

The men of Phi Kappa Psi used new techniques this year to publicize the philanthropy, including doing broadcasts on radio stations.

“The thing that I am most personally excited about is building a great base that our house can build upon in the future,” Ziemke said. “I want people to enjoy themselves and come back again. I am also really excited to enjoy a couple sliders that are cooked to perfection by the Phi Psis.”

Ziemke is passionate about this cause and said, “We want to try and help them through this time and show them that the greek community cares.”

Higgins said he is thrilled to be part of the new philanthropy, which ideally will appeal to multiple aspects of the community.

“Sliders are fun and lots of people enjoy sliders. We want to appeal to as many people as we can and hope to start a tradition that will have everyone coming back in the following year,” he said. “We are going to make it a great time for everyone, and we will be there serving up delicious sliders with smiles on our faces. We love serving the community in any way we can.”