Greeks serve up frozen yogurt for charity

After barely six months on the University of Minnesota campus, Chilly Billy’s has already managed to scoop the hearts of the school’s greek community.

The Dinkytown frozen yogurt shop is quickly becoming the biggest fundraising sponsor for fraternities and sororities. Three chapters have held events with the restaurant so far this semester.

While most chapters turn to restaurants around the University to raise money, Chilly Billy’s has become one of the most popular to work with.

“Chilly Billy’s has done a really good job of making it known that they’re really willing and excited about working with our chapters,” said Panhellenic Council President Meg McMurray.

Groups holding fundraisers with Chilly Billy’s keep 10 percent of whatever money they bring in during the event.

“It’s a win-win thing,” said owner Bill Marker.

Marker said the events are also a great way to bring in new clientele.

“Everybody has fun and we like to get people into the store,” he said.

The fraternity Sigma Chi worked with Chilly Billy’s in September in a “sort of testing-the-waters event,” and raised about $50.

“It was a pretty manageable event, as the Chilly Billy’s folks are easy to work with,” said President Colin Burke in an email.

In addition to Sigma Chi, the frozen yogurt parlor also worked with Alpha Phi and Pi Kappa Alpha. Outside of the greek community, Chilly Billy’s has held events with the student groups Hillel and Undergraduate Women In Business.

In comparison, Buffalo Wild Wings, another popular restaurant sponsor, has yet to hold any events with greek organizations this semester, though they do have two planned for later this fall, according to a spokesperson for the restaurant.

The sorority Delta Gamma will join the growing list of student groups who have worked with Chilly Billy’s, holding an event Oct. 13 to kick off their multiday philanthropy event Anchor Splash.

 “It’s a great opportunity,” McMurray said. “They’re really excited to help us out. And people want to go to [the event] as well, because people love eating there.”

Marker said he loves helping the greek community. His brother is a University graduate and a Sigma Chi alumnus, and some of his current and former employees are involved with greek organizations on campus.

“I think it’s cool that there are fraternities and sororities [on campus]. You get to know people and all that good stuff,” Marker said. “I went to [the University of Minnesota, Duluth] and they didn’t have that.”

Marker said Chilly Billy’s works to be a part of the community, going to sporting events and taking part in the homecoming parade. Marker is also part of the Dinkytown Business Association.

“We want to be a part of the community,” Marker said. “We just love the area. I love Dinkytown.”