The headlines tell the story of the bad old days for Greeks in Kingston:

“URI orders fraternity to close: The national chapter of Sigma Chi, which was already investigating a rash of bad behavior at the house, approved of the closure, but will keep individual members on its rolls.” (Nov. 26, 1996)

“URI bars 2 frats for a year: University officials say the organizations ignored warnings and hosted keg parties where minors were present.” (April 16, 1999)

The future looked grim for the fraternity system at the University of Rhode Island. There was too much ugly spillover from too many parties.

But last month in Peace Dale, on the day before Thanksgiving, there was a small, quiet ceremony that told of a very different side of Greek life on campus. A very generous check was given to the Jonnycake Center.

A year ago, the Jonnycake Center was helping 560 families in South County with the basics of food, clothing and household items. This year, it is helping 1,030 families.

“We’re kind of overwhelmed by the number of folks coming in,” said Sue Gustaitis, the center’s executive director. “A lot of those are because of people losing jobs. And it’s usually the main breadwinner who’s losing the job.”

So it’s awesome, said Gustaitis, that members of URI’s fraternities and sororities came to the center last month and handed over $12,000.

It’s a nice chunk of cash and it will be used to help a bunch of the university’s neighbors weather hard times.

“We wanted to do something to honor Doctor Carothers for all he’s done for the school and the Greek community,” said Phil Bowers, president of the Inter-Fraternity Council. “We decided to make a donation in his name to a charity that he chose. And in a heartbeat, he said the Jonnycake Center.”

Robert Carothers will retire as URI president in June. He was with the students when they presented the check.

“It’s great to bring in the holidays this way,” said Bowers. “The Greeks have gotten a bad name over the last ten or fifteen years, and we’re trying to show something completely different.”

The fraternity-sorority system is growing, not diminishing, said Bowers. There are three new fraternities on campus this year. But it’s not about parties, at least not entirely. It’s about sticking to old values, he said. It’s about community service and helping more and more people.

So for a week in November, members of the 13 fraternities and 9 sororities got a little sweaty and a little silly for a very good cause. Philanthropy week included basketball and softball tournaments, a karaoke competition, a spirited round of The Price Is Right in Edwards Auditorium, a date auction and something called penny wars.

When the week was over, a big pile of money had been raised and people the students will never meet will be the better for it.

The headlines aren’t quite as glaring this time. The news from the fraternity and sorority house is good. And that donation in Peace Dale last month is not a one-time thing. It is part of an estimated $100,000 that URI fraternities and sororities give to charities every year.

Meanwhile, back at the Jonnycake Center, Gustaitis said other good things are happening. She said that some families, instead of giving gifts this season, are giving donations to the center.

It could catch on. The holidays this year have become, for many, a time to consider how very little separates good fortune from bad — and to give accordingly.

bkerr@projo.com