Not every social event this weekend was geared toward erasing
all memory of Tuesday's tragedy with alcohol.
Instead, several Greek houses chose to use their social standing
as a way to help those in trouble as a result of Thursday's
attacks.
Nearly 500 students attended yesterday afternoon's Sigma Alpha
Epsilon coffeehouse, which donated all proceeds to the Red
Cross through Change for Change. The fraternity holds an annual
fall charity event, but this year chose to help the victims of the New
York and Washington attacks.
SAE charged $3 at the door and encouraged additional donations
to raise nearly $1,600, exceeding their $1,500 goal.
The event, called "Strength for the Soul," featured Penn a capella
groups Off the Beat and Penn Six and dance troupes Strictly Funk
and Arts House Dance, as well as independent acts.
"This was a really appropriate culmination of this week's efforts to
unite in such a time of chaos," Engineering sophomore Rachel
Webre said.
"It was nice to see Penn unite for such a great cause," College
sophomore Michelle Carter said. "I'm really impressed that they
pulled this together so quickly."
The event was a three-day effort on the part of SAE fraternity
brothers, who spent hours contacting performance groups and
neighborhood sponsors.
"Just a little effort and a lot of enthusiasm go a long way," said
Ravi Bellur, the chapter vice president and an organizer of the
event.
Undergraduate Assembly Chairwoman Dana Hork said she has
been impressed by the success of Change for Change, noting that
several campus groups have asked to participate in fundraising
efforts.
"It's events like these that make a large, positive contribution,"
Hork said. "We're able to celebrate the talents of students here at
Penn while raising money for a good cause."
"It was a really sad thing that happened," Bellur said. "But that
doesn't mean that we can't do something that's fun and that also
can help."
SAE, however, isn't alone in its fundraising efforts. Last Thursday,
sororities Sigma Delta Tau and Alpha Chi Omega turned their first
official party of the semester to a philanthropy event at the Chrome
Night Club.
And even well past midnight, a large mob of students crowded the
doorway to enter.
Because the club allowed the sororities to rent out the space for
free, all proceeds were donated to the Red Cross.
At first, Alpha Chi Omega Social Chairwoman Cara Diaz was
hesitant about holding the party.
"For a while we weren't sure if we should have the party," the
Nursing junior said. "I hope people don't think we're doing it
because we want to have a party."
Diaz explained that changing the party to a philanthropy event
allowed them to go ahead with plans while simultaneously
helping a good cause.
Jamie Beller, a College senior and Alpha Chi Omega chapter
president, said that the event was not a sorority event, but a
fundraiser and a University gathering.
"This is a way for the University and Penn students to come
together," she said.
Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Daisy Chang contributed to this
report.
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