The Iowa Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of the Children’s Miracle Network, received more than $125,000 in donations from ISU students last year. In an effort to top this amount, greek students organized “Derby Days” this week.

This week, Sigma Chi Fraternity is sponsoring its week-long fund-raising event for Children’s Miracle Network. “Derby Days” is a nationwide philanthropy which donated $1 million to the network in the last year, said Ryan Downing, Sigma Chi Derby Days co-chair.

Events during the week include a pasta dinner, a raffle, “Derby Olympics,” a cross-dressing skit competition, a bowling tournament and a date auction.

Eleven sororities are joining forces with Sigma Chi to help raise money through a spirit competition in which the winners must sell the most raffle tickets.

Lisa Baum-Waters, director of Children’s Miracle Network for Iowa, said the donations from Derby Days are used in a variety of ways, such as purchasing games and books for children and purchasing toys to distract young patients from painful procedures at the Iowa Children’s Hospital.

“Derby Days integrates the charity in a very personal way and introduces the students to the families who have received the support of the Children’s Miracle Network,” Baum-Waters said.

“Derby Days gives the young patient a chance to see campus life in its very best light.”

The goal each year is to donate more money than the year before. This year the Pasta Dinner was a huge success with over 300 people in attendance, he said.

Downing said he enjoys the bowling tournament the most. “It’s great to play with the kids and see where the money is actually going,” he said.

Children’s Miracle Network focuses on the children’s happiness and well-being, said Tom Klaus, assistant director of Children’s Miracle Network of Iowa.

“Sigma Chi is at the top of our list of partners, not just because of the money they donate, but because of the connection they make with the CMN kids and families,” he said.

Events this week include a bowling tournament and a date auction. The tournament is at 6:30 tonight at 20th Century Bowling, 505 S. Duff.

The date auction is at Sigma Chi, 2136 Lincoln Way at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Both events are open to the public.