Everyone knows the Irish Illini. They can be seen out every Friday for happy hour. They coordinate Unofficial every spring. They take over Green Street once a semester for the biggest bar scrambles on campus. Their social presence at the University can’t be ignored.

What often goes unnoticed, however, is their vast participation in various philanthropy events.

As the largest registered student organization on campus, the Irish Illini join together to make a difference. Each year, they work with several charities and raise money through social events.

This year, the Irish Illini have focused on three main philanthropy projects — Special Christmas for Special Kids, St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Relay for Life.

During the holidays, the Irish Illini participate in Special Christmas for Special Kids. Every year, there is a party for children in the community with mental and physical disabilities. The night before the party, the Irish Illini wrap gifts donated by various organizations. They also set up a refreshment table, buying snacks, deserts, juice and pop for those who attend.

“We mingle with the party-goers and play with the kids — it’s a lot of fun,” said Vice President Emily Ryan, senior in LAS.

The Irish Illini have also been involved with St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that raises money to help cure children’s cancer. St. Baldrick’s organizes events where men and women can be sponsored by friends and family to shave their heads in support of those children going through chemotherapy. The money raised goes toward cancer research.

This year, the Irish Illini teamed up with local guitar player Connor Grant, who gave a benefit show at Geovanti’s Bar and Grill on Green Street this St. Patrick’s Day. A donation basket was passed around throughout the show, and Irish Illini matched the proceeds that Grant made. The Irish Illini also plan to make further donations.

“We raise a lot of money with our spring bar crawl and we plan to make a donation to (St. Baldrick’s).” said President Charlie Knibbs, senior in AHS.

Irish Illini also form several teams for Relay for Life each year and team up with the American Red Cross to hold blood drives each semester. In the past, they have made donations to organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fund and the Champaign Humane Society, and used their popular happy hours for charity.

“Around Thanksgiving time, we have a canned food drive,” said Sheila Casey, sophomore in LAS. “You can bring canned food to happy hour and get a free drink.”

The Irish Illini also have a relationship with Identity, the Irish dance group on campus.

“They come to a lot of our events to dance, and they’ll bring people up to their performance area and teach them. A lot of our members really enjoy it,” Ryan said.

The Irish Illini are having their spring semester bar scramble this Saturday. The theme is kept secret until a few days before. Past themes have included James Bond, “American Gladiators” and “The Dark Knight.” Video clips of last year’s mayhem have been posted on YouTube.

The bar scramble can be completed competitively. First, second and third prize are awarded. Winners receive a medal and the all-important bragging rights until next semester.

Sign-up goes quickly, though. This spring, registration closed after only the second day as the number of participants reached 1,650.

On campus, the Irish Illini have a reputation for their social prevalence. However, they want to be known as more than just that.

“A lot of people don’t think of us as a legitimate organization. They think we just run around and get drunk and act like morons,” Ryan said. “We take a lot of time to plan things and work a lot with community outreach.”