Members of the greek community are committed to promoting unity, community service and greek pride during the annual celebration of Greek Week, which runs through Saturday.

This year’s celebration, titled “Piecing Together Success,” includes a variety of activities and events.

Justin Chesnut, general co-chairman of the Greek Week Committee, called the event “a weeklong celebration about fellowship of greeks.”

Mike Penake, general co-chairman of the Greek Week Committee, said the Special Olympics is this year’s Greek Week community service project, and he believes plenty of funds will be raised to aid the organization.

“I think we’ve taken on a lot more, and considering Iowa State is a major contributor to the Special Olympics, I think we’ll be successful,” said Penake, senior in finance and accounting.

Kaleb Varrelmann, community service coordinator, said the committee’s goal is to raise $20,000 for the Special Olympics through the Polar Bear Plunge, which will be held Saturday.

“We need 400 pledges to raise $50 a piece in order to make our goal. It’s open to all Iowa State students, and if you raise $50, you will receive a sweatshirt,” said Varrelmann, senior in dairy science and agricultural business.

Claire Lee, marketing coordinator of the Greek Week Committee, said along with Greek Week, the InterFraternity Council and Panhellenic Council have sponsored a Greek Get-A-Way for seniors in high school during Greek Week.

“They will have the opportunity to stay at a greek house of their choice and be involved in all the activities of the weekend,” she said.

Lee said another popular event that takes place during Greek Week is the Vespers ceremony.

“All greek members are encouraged to come and recognize the best chapter presidents and best greek man and woman of the year,” said Lee, junior in advertising.

The nominated greek members are noted for their efforts in community service, Lee said.

The guest speakers for the ceremony are former fraternity members T.J. Sullivan and Joel Goldman, who will present a lecture on “Friendship in the Age of AIDS.”

At the end of the week, trophies and awards will be given out at a special ceremony to the teams who raised the most money or have done the most community service. The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at Alpha Gamma Rho, 201 Gray Ave.

Other events and activities scheduled for Greek Week ’99 include:

• On Tuesday, Lip Sync first cuts at 7 p.m at the Ames Auditorium.

• On Wednesday, Vespers at 7 p.m at Stephens Auditorium.

• On Friday, Lip Sync finals at 7 p.m in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union

• On Friday, special concert by the band Daisy Head Maisy at 9 p.m. on central campus.