Philofest is such a special opportunity to see each chapter of UPC organize an event to support their individual philanthropies. The week-long initiative gives everyone the chance to learn about each other’s causes and foster Panellenic-wide service. Keep reading to hear from each chapter about their event this week!
APhi Fest
Alpha Phi is hosting APhi Fest at the Alpha Phi House from 5pm-7pm Tuesday. Attendees can expect disco balls, a candy bar station, and banners at the house. Attendees can buy tickets at the door.
Alpha Phi’s national philanthropy is centered around women’s heart health. Texas APhi supports the cause through the Alpha Phi foundation, and fundraises through an annual barbecue Heart of Texas during their dad’s weekend. Members are also involved in Mac and Phis and their annual Red Dress Gala, an auction. Alpha Phi’s Director of Philanthropy Alexa Riojas said she is looking forward to seeing the final product at the event and continuing to empower women’s voices.
“The most rewarding part is just supporting women and being able to be a small part of change and development for women's voices about heart health and how important it really is,” Riojas said.
Texas Phi Scoops
This Tuesday, Alpha Epsilon Phi is putting on Texas Phi Scoops from 5pm to 7pm at the AEPhi house. Attendees can buy tickets online or in-person to enjoy a treat from the GoGo YumYum ice cream truck.
Alpha Epsilon Phi’s two national philanthropies are the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Sharsheret, a non-profit supporting women with breast and ovarian cancer. The Omega chapter also has two local philanthropies: B Positive, which supports pediatric cancer patients and their families, and the Hallie 225 Foundation, which was created to honor a Texas Alpha Epsilon Phi alum who passed away from a rare form of cancer. Throughout the year, AEPhi supports their philanthropies through their annual panhellenic-wide dance competition Greek Get Down and initiatives like Pink Day and Pink Week. Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Vice President of Philanthropy Ginger Fuhrman said she is proud to work alongside her committee of hardworking and inspiring women.
“Philanthropy is very near and dear to my heart, and something that I've always been a part of,” Fuhrman said. “I wanted to give back to AEPhi because it's given me so much, and I thought this was the best way for me to get involved.”
Courtyard Cookout
Courtyard Cookout will be at the Delta Delta Delta house from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday. The event will feature the Weenie wagon, a cotton candy booth, dunk tank, and a Mango Coast performance. Attendees can buy their ticket online.
Delta Delta Delta supports St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and furthers their mission of finding a cure for childhood cancer. Texas Tri Delta does a letter-writing campaign and participates in the St. Jude 5K every year. Tri Delta Director of Philanthropy Alexis Scott said she loves leading her chapter’s work with St. Jude’s and truly believes in their mission.
‘Starting the year off strong was a big accomplishment, and it’s nice to see how the chapter was super involved and motivated to support such an awesome philanthropy,” Scott said.
Shamrockin’ with KD
Shamrockin’ with KD will be at Cain and Abel’s on Wednesday from 5pm-7pm. Attendees will enjoy quesadillas and live music, and are able to buy bands from a Texas Kappa Delta or at the door.
Texas Kappa Delta supports two philanthropies: Prevent Child Abuse America and Girl Scouts. KD raises money for their local Center for Child Protection by hosting the Shamrock run and Pie-A-President. Members of the Sigma Epsilon chapter also participate in workshops to learn about the center and resources for child neglect and abuse. Vice President of Events and Programming Caitlin Bloomfield said her favorite thing about serving in her position is involving not only her sisters but also the Panhellenic community in their philanthropy events.
“I love when I can see we’ve taken our sisters’ input and put it back into the chapter (to) represent a chapter that fits our culture and community,” Bloomfield said.
Taco Xi
Alpha Xi Delta will host Taco Xi at their house on Thursday from 5pm-7pm. Guests will enjoy unlimited tacos and deserts, a bounce house, and hair tinsel, among other carnival-themed activities. Attendees can buy tickets online or at the door.
The Kindly Hearts Initiative is AXiD’s national philanthropy, and focuses on children and teens experiencing foster care and homelessness. Texas Alpha Xi’s local impact organization is Helping Hand Home, where members can volunteer to do activities with children. A silent auction during their parent’s weekend Casino Night and selling flowers on Speedway are some of the other ways AXiD fundraises. AXiD’s Vice President of Philanthropy Ava Ammerman said she’s excited to lead her chapter and continue to serve hands on.
“It's just been rewarding to have experiences where I can grow as a leader,” Ammerman said. “We’re all trying to find this home away from home feeling and (giving) back to an organization that provides children with that sense of security and safety has been full circle for me.”
Desserts with DG
Desserts with DG is Delta Gamma’s annual Philofest event this Thursday from 5pm-8pm. With a ticket, guests enjoy unlimited desserts at the DG house. Attendees can buy tickets at the door or through a member link.
Service for Sight is Delta Gamma’s philanthropy nationally, and Texas Delta Gamma’s local partner is the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Members of the Beta Eta chapter support this cause by volunteering their time at the school, making dog toys for the Guide Dogs of Texas, and fundraising throughout the year during events like Anchor Slam, a basketball tournament and Anchor Splash, a dance and swimming competition. DG’s Vice President of Foundation said organizing new service opportunities has been the most rewarding part of her position.
“No pun intended, but (this position) did open my eyes to Service for Sight and the meaning behind it,” Aghabi said. “I get to see the impact firsthand: what we do, why we do it, and the impact it makes on others outside of DG.”
Zeta Pink Pancake
Zeta Tau Alpha’s first annual Zeta Pink Pancake will be Friday from 11am-1pm. Main attractions include the pancake eating competition, a Mango Coast performance, and a pancake buffet. Attendees can buy tickets online or at the door.
Zeta’s national philanthropy partner is breast cancer education and awareness, which they support at Texas Zeta through the ZTA foundation. Members of the Kappa chapter participate in various donation drives, a parent’s weekend raffle and profit shares, and most notably their panhellenic-wide annual Big Man on Campus event in the fall. Zeta’s Vice President of Philanthropy and Service Elle Edwards said she has a lot of ideas for this year and is looking forward to collaborating across campus.
“I like seeing people want to participate and come support—it makes me really happy,” Edwards said. “Once we get the money (to) the ZTA foundation, it’s so rewarding to see how much we’ve raised.”
Alpha Chi Wild West
Alpha Chi Wild West is at the Alpha Chi Omega house from 12pm-2pm on Friday. Highlights of the event will include face painting, a popcorn machine, and pizza. Attendees can buy bands online or at the door.
Alpha Chi Omega’s national philanthropy is domestic violence and awareness. Texas Alpha Chi’s local partner is an organization called Stop Abuse for Everyone, or SAFE. AXOs volunteer at the yearly SAFE gala, donate feminine products in a weekly Mexi lunch, and participate in educational workshops. Members also put on a yearly fashion show called Alpha Chi Couture and a raffle during parents weekend. Vice President of Philanthropy Valeria Angyal said she’s grateful for the support from her committee.
“Whether it's one person or the whole chapter, it is amazing to me to hear from those girls,” Angyal said. “Knowing that I can make that impact on at least one person's life makes me feel very accomplished.”
Claws for a Cause
Alpha Delta Pi is hosting Claws for a Cause at the ADPi house on Friday from 1pm-3pm. The second annual crawfish boil will feature live music and face painting. Attendees can buy tickets online or at the door.
ADPi’s national philanthropy supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides food, shelter, and support for families who have a child in the hospital. Members can volunteer at the Central Texas branch of RMHC at the Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin and participate in cooking shifts weekly. They also fundraise by selling roses on Speedway and hosting profit shares. ADPi’s Director of Philanthropy Izzy Davies said the most rewarding part of her role is seeing girls in her chapter take advantage of individual service opportunities.
“Seeing them be super involved and ask me questions has been my favorite part. This is just people doing it because they truly care about the philanthropy,” Davies said.
Chi O County Fair
Chi Omega is hosting the Chi O County Fair this Saturday at the Chi O house from 11am to 1pm. The event will include a mechanical bull, a live country band, and carnival games, among other activities, and attendees can buy tickets online or in-person.
Chi Omega’s national philanthropy partner is the Make-A-Wish foundation, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. Texas Chi O members sponsor a Wish Kid every semester, fundraise throughout the year through events like Dream Jam, and volunteer as tutors at a local elementary school. Chi O’s Philanthropy Chair Macy McAfee said that she loves seeing girls in her chapter be excited to give back.
“Getting to connect people to ways that they can give back is really encouraging. Hearing stories about people in my chapter (wanting) to serve is just revealing of their hearts, and makes me even more proud to be a Chi O,” McAfee said.
Kats & Dogs
Kappa Alpha Theta is hosting their annual Kats & Dogs event at the Theta house from 12pm-2pm on Saturday. Complete with the Weenie wagon and therapy dogs, attendees can buy tickets online or in-person.
Nationally, Kappa Alpha Theta’s national philanthropy partner is CASA, which supports court-appointed volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children. Texas Theta is partnered with the Travis County location and fundraises through different events year-round, like raffles during Parents’ Weekend and profit shares in Austin. Theta’s Vice President of External Affairs Haley Patolia said her proudest accomplishment is continuing to advance how Theta supports CASA.
“I'm really glad everybody's able to support us in the UPC community,” Patolia said. “I would encourage people to come out. It’s a great way to see and give back to your community.”
Pi Phi Kappa Carnival
Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual joint Philofest event, Pi Phi Kappa Carnival, will be at the Pi Beta Phi house from 1pm-3pm on Saturday. The carnival will feature live music, a bounce house, and multiple food vendors. Attendees can buy tickets online from either Pi Phi or Kappa, whose links support their respective philanthropies.
Pi Phi’s national philanthropy is Read Lead Achieve, which promotes literacy in young people. Texas Pi Phi members work with a local book drive organization and volunteer at schools in Austin through an after-school program called Zavala. Pi Phi’s Director of Philanthropy Shepherd Gregg said she was proud of the girls who continuously participate in Pi Phi’s service events.
“I’m constantly impressed by how many girls meet with kids and share different books with them,” Gregg said. “I think the girls have really stepped up in their role.”
Kappa Kappa Gamma’s national philanthropy is mental health and well-being. Texas Kappa is partnered with the JED foundation, which works with suicide and mental health awareness, and fundraise through profit shares year-round. KKG Philanthropy Director Radha Vallurupalli said she’s excited to see the two chapters get together for this event and loves making an impact in her role.
“I get to reach out to these amazing people,and see what we can do to help them. I want to make sure I'm utilizing all of our resources in Austin,” Vallurupalli said.
Seeing the product of all of Panhellenic’s hard work is so special, and knowing that attending any event raises money for a good cause only makes the experience better. I hope you all feel inspired to serve your community, support your sisters, and attend at least one event other than your own chapter’s this week. Happy Philofest!
All my love,
The Blog Editor-in-Chief