Sigma Chi Derby Days
OUR PHILANTHROPIES
Catch-A-Dream
The Catch-A-Dream Foundation is very similar in design and character to the well-known Make-A-Wish Foundation, with Catch-A-Dream granting once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences to children eighteen years of ago or younger who suffer from life-threatening illness. Catch-A-Dream was founded in the year 2000 to fill the void created when the Make-A-Wish Foundation established national policy that excludes granting a child a wish that involves hunting or use of "...firearms, hunting bows, or other hunting or sport-shooting equipment."
On each trip, the children and family member who accompany them are surrounded by outdoors-minded people who understand that these children are often " ...sick and tired of being sick and tired!" A designated Catch-A-Dream host accompanies each family and, together with outfitters and local volunteers, facilitates their dream experience, and loves and nurtures them through the strong personal relationships that are inevitably forged in the lodge, on the stream, or in the woods. Hosts and volunteers often become best friends with these families, and remain a part of their lives long after the dream trip has concluded. As one volunteer eloquently stated, "We cannot change the whole world, but we can change someones whole world for at least a short period!" Many Parents have confirmed that this mission is consistently accomplished!
The Catch-A-Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, working in cooperation with the Mississippi State Extension Service, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, and the Bruce Brady Memorial. To donate and for more information click the Catch-a-Dream icon below.
Huntsman Cancer Institute
The Huntsman family has donated more than $400 million to cancer-related initiatives since the commencement of HCI in 1995. He now challenges his brothers to aid in his efforts through the Derby Challenge.
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The Derby Challenge is an online competition between Sigma Chi chapters, the women's fraternities and sororities on each campus raising funds for research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The challenge expands the traditional, local concept of a Derby Days philanthropic event to include an international fundraising arm that allows persons physically present for the event a way of contributing to the cause. Through derbychallenge.org, Sigma Chi chapters and the participating teams on their respective campuses manage their own webpages where they set visible fundraising goals, collect donations, track progress and send family and friends a secure link through which they can make a donation. The Derby Challenge runs annually, with chapter winners announced at Balfour Leadership Training Workshop.
All donations must have an accompanying note indicating the chapter name affiliated with the donation to be credited to the Derby Challenge. Donations made through the website automatically add to the chapter's page. To donate and for more information click the Huntsman Cancer Foundation icon below.
CURRENT & PAST DERBY DAYS
2019
The brothers of the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Derby Dady, Tyler Renfrow, are excited to announce that we raised $84,036 for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation and $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute during the 61st annual Derby Days! This money will help provide trips for different children battling cancer, cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Research Center, and the Sigma Chi Lifeline.
Thank you to all of those who participated in and donated to this year's Derby Days!
2018
Our 2018 Derby Days was a huge success, thanks to all those who participated. The Gamma Upsilon Chapter was able to raise over $100,000 to support our philanthropic efforts! This year the men of Sigma Chi donated $81,304.66 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. In addition, the chapter donated $20,000 to the Huntsman Cancer Research Institute.
2017
The brothers of the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Derby Dady, Andrew Walker, are excited to announce that we raised $85,000 for the Catch-A-Dream foundation in the 60th annual Derby Days fundraiser! This provides trips for multiple children battling cancer. This surpasses any pervious year for our chapter and further makes our chapter the largest donor to the foundation.
This years Derby Days consisted of a week of fundraisers throughout the Starkville area with fundraisers at Deep South Pout, Local Culture, Little Dooey, and Juva Juice. In addition to all the fundraisers there was a blood drive and a men's and women's basketball tournament. The week was concluded on Saturday in the amphitheater with performances by all of the sororities; presentation of the Derby Darling representatives form each sorority and announcement of the 2017 Derby Darling; a visit of from the 2017 Catch-A-Dream representative; presentation of the $85,000 check to the Catch-A-Dream foundation; and trophy presentation to Kappa Delta, the 2017 Derby Day winner.
We would like to say thank you to everyone who participated and donated to this years Derby Days!
2015
The brothers of the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Derby Dady, James Coggin, are excited to announce that we raised $80,000 for the Catch-A-Dream foundation in the 58th annual Derby Days fundraiser! This provides trips for 20 different children battling cancer. This surpasses any pervious year for our chapter and further makes our chapter the largest donor to the foundation.
This years Derby Days consisted of a week of fundraisers throughout the Starkville area with fundraisers at Deep South Pout, Local Culture, Little Dooey, and Juva Juice. In addition to all the fundraisers there was a blood drive and a men's and women's basketball tournament. The week was concluded on Saturday in the amphitheater with performances by all of the sororities; presentation of the Derby Darling representatives form each sorority and announcement of the 2015 Derby Darling; visit and speech by Dan Mullen; introduction of Caleb, the 2015 Catch-A-Dream representative; presentation of the $80,000 check to the Catch-A-Dream foundation; and trophy presentation to Delta Gamma, the 2015 Derby Day winner.
We would like to say thank you to everyone who participated and donated to this years Derby Days!
2014
The brothers of Gamma Upsilon are proud to host our 57th annual fund-raiser to benefit the Catch-A-Dream foundation. The Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi is the single largest donor to Catch-A-Dream each year. We were able to raise $65,000 for Catch-A-Dream this year. Derby Days is a long-standing tradition of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, with its general fraternity roots dating back to the 1930s. Derby Days here at Mississippi State is a week-long program filled with a range of events. Every year we look for new ways to improve Derby Days to get as many people involved in this life-changing event as possible.
This years Derby Days consisted of a week long of fun activities. Activities for Derby Days included a Deep South Pout fundraiser, Crucible Extreme Obstacle Challenge, Men's 3 on 3 basketball tournament, Crawfish Boil Fundraiser, Concert Performances, Juva Juice Smoothie Night, Sorority Basketball Tournament, BBQ Luncheon, and it ended with our traditional Lip Sync and Banner Competition between sororities on Saturday
2013
Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who participated for helping us raise over $65,000 for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation!
2012
The brothers of Gamma Upsilon are proud to host our 55th annual fund-raiser to benefit the Catch-A-Dream foundation. The Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi is the single largest donor to Catch-A-Dream each year with over $60,000 donated per year.
Derby Days is a long-standing tradition of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, with its general fraternity roots dating back to the 1930s. Derby Days here at Mississippi State is a week-long program filled with events ranging from friendly competitions among sororities, fraternities, and other campus groups to concerts, performances, cook-outs, and more. Every year we look for new ways to improve Derby Days to get as many people involved in this life-changing event as possible.
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Shortly after Derby Days 2012 concluded, Derby Daddy Austin Lane received this heart-felt memo from Catch-A-Dream volunteer, Taylor Bufkin:
Austin,
Once again I want to thank you for doing this. You honestly don't know how much it means to these kids. From experience I can say that it means a whole lot for you to know that people all over the world really care about you and can treat you as if nothing is wrong. I can't even express how I feel about CAD and the people that raise money to send other children on a trip to get their minds off of sickness. I must say it was pretty odd for me to be a volunteer this weekend, I have always been the spokesperson every since I went on my trip but I feel that its time to give back. This weekend was also a little hard on me, Jess has defeated the same cancer that my best friend from CAD passed away from a few months ago. I tried to keep my composure but it didn't work as well as planned. I could tell that Jess and Allan were very appreciative and a bit overwhelmed but I know that they loved every second of it. I hope that the future Derby Daddy's will be as dedicated and driven as you have been this weekend (I'm sure longer than that to get prepared). Just know that you are appreciated more than we can express. We will all always remember you and what you have done for us/CAD. I love you, your family now (:
Love,
Taylor Bufkin
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We would like to say Thank You to all of our 2012 sponsors.
