Visiting local wineries is only one of the many things the members of Whitman’s Sigma Chi fraternity must do in preparation for their upcoming silent wine auction. The inaugural event, which takes place over Parents’ Weekend, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Reid Campus Center.

Buty Winery, owned by Whitman alumnus Caleb Foster, ’91, recently donated six bottles of wine to the auction. Fort Walla Walla Cellars has also promised a bottle.

Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served at the auction.

The auction is Sigma Chi’s largest community philanthropy event to date. In the past, the fraternity has participated in smaller projects such as the Blue Mountain Humane Society Dog Walk, Garrison Creek restoration and the Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up on Highway 12.

“Philanthropy and community service are incredibly important to [Whitman’s] fraternity system,” said senior Interfraternity Council President Chase Cooper. “All too often the fraternity system: and to a lesser extent Whitman College: is viewed by the greater Walla Walla community as isolated, privileged and distinctly self-interested. Consequently, I see philanthropy and community outreach as an incredibly effective way to combat that preconception and give something back to the larger community.”

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the SOS Clinic. Located in neighboring College Place, Washington, the SOS Clinic is a free health care clinic run by local volunteers. It serves some of the region’s most needy patients, regardless of their insurance coverage or legal status, and charges no fee for visits, testing, medications and counseling.

“It will be a great opportunity to show our parents and families the selfless ideals taught inside and outside of the Whitman classroom and at the same time show our community that we care,” said Sigma Chi Co-Philanthropy Chair sophomore Kiet Vo.

Sigma Chi is hoping the auction will raise $2,000 to $3,000.