Alpha Phi is scheduled to host their annual Alpha Phiesta philanthropy event 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpha Phi House in the Panhellenic Quadrangle. The entrance fee is $5.
The sorority is combining this event with their other annual Picnic Basket Auction fundraiser.
The items for the baskets will be provided by members of the house and will range from men’s themed baskets to baskets full of baked goods.
“It’s $5 for all-you-can-eat walkable tacos, but while you’re walking around eating your tacos, we’re offering picnic baskets being auctioned off,” said Lizzie Strickland, Alpha Phi’s vice president of marketing.
The money will go to the Alpha Phi Foundation, which is devoted to improving women’s heart health.
OCU’s Alpha Phi has changed the name of their philanthropy week, which will take place in February, from Cardiac Care Week to Women’s Heart Health Week to better reflect their national philanthropic mission.
“Our official local philanthropy is the Boys & Girls Club, but for the Alpha Phiesta, we’re choosing to do a local heart charity, so we’re looking to combine with OU Heart Medical Center,” Strickland said.
The Alpha Phis are putting together a variety show to perform for the Boys & Girls Club.
“We’re hoping that we can bring that to the hospital as well and be able to do stuff there,” Strickland said. “We want to definitely do something where we can go and give our time as well, rather than just our money.”
In the past two years, OCU’s Alpha Phi has raised more than $17,000 for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which raises a million dollars nationally each year.
“It’s been amazing that we can get so many people on campus to get so passionate about what we’re all so passionate about,” said Strickland. “Through the Alpha Phi foundation and everything, Alpha Phi has become the number one Greek philanthropic organization, which is just incredible.”
Strickland wants to raise awareness about what the Alpha Phi Foundation can do, not only for her sisters in need, but for heart health nationwide.
“A lot of people are connected to cardiac care, and they don’t really know how to contribute or help,” Strickland said. “We’ll put the money where it needs to go.”
Students look forward to the annual event.
“I’m excited to see everybody’s baskets because the themes are always really cute,” said Keslie Ward, music theater junior.
“We’re always so surprised how much money people are willing to bid,” said Mary Elizabeth Drake, music theater junior. “We know we’re going to raise a lot for heart health.”
Leave a Reply