By Dexter Gauntlett
Daily Bruin Reporter
Six hundred sorority sisters gathered around a live band
Wednesday night, in the first-ever all-Panhellenic Philanthropic
event that raised almost $3,000 for families of victims of the
Sept. 11 attacks.
All 11 UCLA sororities were invited to the Kappa Alpha Theta
house to raise money for the Widows and Orphans Fund, a charity of
the Uniformed Firefighter’s Association.
“Panhellenic has a lot of strength in numbers, and we had
to get something together,” said Emily Whichard,
philanthropic chair for the Panhellenic Council, the organization
in charge of sorority life. “It was a great way to do a
sisterhood event for a great cause.”
Each sorority donated their dinner money that night.
Contributions ranged from approximately $150 to $200. Westwood
businesses donated gift certificates for a raffle, which also
contributed to fund-raising efforts.
Westwood restaurants such as Shakey’s, Papa John’s
and Diddy Riese provided food for the event.
Sandi Meinsen, president of the Panhellenic Council, said she
was pleased with the outcome, especially since the event was not
mandatory.
In addition to such local community service programs as helping
blind children, she said every sorority has an annual philanthropic
event, with proceeds going to their sorority’s national
philanthropic organization.
Some said they attended Wednesday’s fund-raiser because,
as members of the Greek system, they consider it necessary to be
more involved in the community.
Chi Omega sister Melissa Miller said there are other reasons for
community involvement beyond being in a sorority.
“By being at a prestigious university, I feel like I have
the obligation to give back to the community, and the sorority is a
great way to do that,” she said.
With only women attending the event, Jessica Houts of Chi Omega
said most of the funds would go toward women.
“It was an event by women for women,” Houts
said.
“It’s important to not just do an event like this
because it makes the sorority look good, but it should be a human
interest thing,” she said.
Second-year musical theater student Evanne Riskas and her band
performed at the event. They were followed by the band Max the Cat,
a group of recent UCLA graduates.
The Inter-Fraternity Council ““ the organization in charge
of fraternity life ““ also donated $200, but none of the
fraternities attended the event.