This past Sunday, Alumni Hall had its usual blue and green hues changed to bright purple and white for the seventh annual Alpha Chi Omega Frisbee Fest. The event is held every year to raise money for the fight against domestic violence, the color of which is purple.
“We hold the fest each year in honor of one of our sister, Elizabeth Pernel, who was killed in 1998 in a domestic violence dispute,” Dana Owen, publicity chair of the Quinnipiac chapter, said. “Each year we donate every cent we make at the Fest to the Greater New Haven Shelter for Domestic Violence.”
The Frisbee Fest was held outside and in, due to inclement weather. A Frisbee game took place on the Quad. The winning team was awarded $100. There was also a dunk tank for unlucky sorority sisters to be drenched in.
Inside Alumni, sisters and guests listened to live music and were invited to purchase raffle tickets for prizes and “Greek Dollars” for food at the bake sale. There were also brochures and ribbons to show support against domestic violence.
“This event is open to everyone,” Ashley Thomspson, president of Alpha Chi Omega said. “We’re really trying to get the community from outside Quinnipiac.” .
Allison Tregger, who was on the committee to plan the Frisbee Fest and a former editor of The Chronicle, had her family visit for the day.
“It’s the first time we’ve been here, but so far so good,” Tregger’s mother Joanne, said.
The girls also received support from their faculty advisor Lisa Burns, assistant professor of media studies and public relations.
“The weather stinks, but the turn out is really good,” Burns said. “The Greek organizations are not always recognized for their philanthropic achievements, but the girls have done a great job fundraising. I’m so proud of them.”
Last year Alpha Chi Omega raised $14,000. Today, the sisters have collected upwards of $12,000, and there will be more events later in the semester to raise money.
“When we have our domestic violence speaker come to the university, a representative from the shelter will usually attend and we’ll present them with a check. This way we can continue to raise money after today,” said Danielle Barbarich, philanthropy chair and head coordinator for the Frisbee Fest.
Despite the rainy day, attitudes were bright, and spirits were high in Alumni. With the positive feedback from today, as well as from the preceding Greek Week, the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega look forward to the future.
“The past years’ Frisbee Fests have been great,” said Meredith Roberts vice-president of fraternity relations. “And we try to improve them over the years.”
