This post was written by Michelle Brown and Emily Cahn.
In the midst of an economic recession, two sororities on campus have found new and creative ways to raise money for charity.
The Sigma Kappa sorority recently raised $14,000 during a series of new philanthropy events called Ultra Violet Days and last month, the Alpha Delta Pi sorority raised more than $13,500 during their first annual Diamond Heist event, chapter representatives said.
ADPi funds were donated to their national philanthropy organization, the Ronald MacDonald House, their chapter president said.
“Alpha Delta Pi is very proud of raising more money for the D.C. Ronald McDonald House than it ever has in the past,” said ADPi President Brittany Mitchell, a senior, in an email. “Through our involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, we get to see firsthand how the funds raised during Diamond Heist will be used.”
Diamond Heist was a week-long competition between fraternities that included a variety different events, including Jail n’ Bail where ADPi members are handcuffed to fraternity members until they raise $10.
Sigma Kappa raised funds for the Sigma Kappa Foundation, which primarily benefits Alzheimer’s research, said junior Kim Angus, Sigma Kappa’s foundations chair.
Angus attributed the success of the event to the dedication the members of Sigma Kappa put into the event.
“It comes down to dedication to each and every one of our sisters and really by everyone doing their part and by every single sister going out and raising money on their own,” Angus said. “A little bit from everyone turns into a big sum.”
Sigma Kappa President Betsy Luxenberg, a junior, said the sorority raised money during the sluggish economy by beginning to raise funds last spring for this fall’s events.
“We have been working tirelessly since last spring to fundraise for The Alzheimer’s Association and The Memory Walk,” Luxenberg said in an e-mail. “Through the diligent work of our members, led by a very dedicated executive council, our first ever Ultra Violet Days was a huge success.”
As part of Ultra Violet Days, Sigma Kappa hosted an eating contest and a lip-sync contest in addition to participating in the National Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s research last weekend.
