In 1981, an alumna of the national sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi University of Wisconsin chapter, contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion and unknowingly passed the disease onto her children. After the death of her daughter, Elizabeth Glaser made it her mission to create a research organization geared toward the treatment and prevention of pediatric AIDS infection.
Because of organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, UT sororities have made it their duty to promote philanthropic events to support their selected causes.
Alpha Epsilon Phi has hosted "Pheast with Phis" for four years to raise money for the foundation. The event was hosted after midnight Friday morning at the sorority's home with an entrance fee of $5 for an all-you-can-eat buffet of food donated from local Austin businesses.
"This is mostly [Greek] community-based, but we are trying to expand it to the entire [UT] community," assistant philanthropy chair and public relations junior Rebecca Weiser said. "We are bringing people together to support a great cause."
Weiser hoped that by setting the event for early morning, the food drive would bring a wide turnout of students and community members as it has in previous years.
"Because we as college students all have weird schedules, we are trying to find a niche," Weiser said. "It allows for people who want a midnight snack or for those coming from downtown who want food to come by and support a great cause."
Delta Gamma sorority member and communication junior Megan Hamilton said Delta Gamma will host a nacho party fundraiser for its lecture series hosted every other year. The sorority has hosted several lecturers, including Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein and equal rights activist Lois
Jensen.
"The lecture series is very inspiring and raises awareness to students because your're hearing someone else's story," Hamilton said. "It shrinks our campus into one room and provides a bonding experience for all college students."
Alpha Xi Delta will host "Treats for Tots," a bake sale, Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on its front lawn. This sale raises money for the Austin Miracle League, an organization dedicated to providing sports for disabled
children.
"We wanted to have a campus-wide project for the first semester because we always have one for the second," elementary education sophomore Laura Bean said. "It is a way for us to get involved in charity and help disabled youth."
All three sororities continue to host events throughout the year for the underprivileged. Alpha Epsilon member and communication sciences and disorders sophomore Lauren Skjott said the campus community's involvement makes these events a success.
"These fundraisers are a fun way to contribute to the community because you're not really thinking about the labor you are putting into it," Skjott said. "You are spending time with your friends who are just as involved as you, and you are raising money for people in need."
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