UCSB Greek Week 2009 kicks off tomorrow, marking the start of a charity drive to benefit Isla Vista Elementary School’s science camps.

The week of events begins tomorrow with a carnival at I.V. Elementary, providing UCSB greeks with an opportunity to cross off some volunteer hours while they work with local school children. While hosted by UCSB fraternities and sororities, the events are not exclusive to members. Greeks and non-greeks alike can jointly support the weeklong charity drive for I.V. Elementary through food fundraisers, a scholarship banquet or a Black and White Party hosted at Sharkeez downtown.

Devin Chapman, a Panhellenic delegate, said 100 percent of the proceeds will go to I.V. Elementary science camp programs to provide local students with financial support.

“This offers the chance for kids to go to science camp who couldn’t pay for it otherwise,” Chapman, a second-year global studies and business economics major, said.

According to Chapman, this year’s council wanted to raise money for a cause closer to home as opposed to last year’s Greek Week, which supported a philanthropy in Africa.

“I think [the greeks] wanted to do something that was closer to the community,” Chapman said. “Science camp is one of the issues the school suggested.”

Greek Week event coordinator Alex Vargas said the Black and White party, slated for March 1, will be the culminating event of the weeklong festivities.

“With the huge success we saw last year, we decided to do it again,” Vargas, a third-year art studio major, said. “It is our way to get involved during Greek Week that is something different from the norm.”

Panhellenic VP Rho Chi Coordinator Sarah Wexler, a fourth-year business economics major, said Greek Week benefits the community in numerous ways.

“Overall, Greek Week is going to be a really fun week with endless opportunities for everyone to get involved, meet new people and show how much pride they have in the greek system,” Wexler said. “Not to mention it’s also for a good cause.”

According to Vargas, the entire campus community is welcome to participate in the various events.

“Everyone must know that this is an event for all of UCSB,” Vargas said. “With that in mind, join the facebook.com group, tell your friends — the more people that know about the event the better. … That will help make this year’s event that much more successful.”