Hungry members of the OWU Greek community gathered in Ham-Will April 2 to eat pasta for a cause.
Delta Delta Delta sorority’s annual fundraiser, Pasta for Life, raised over $1,300 for donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, according to sophomore Philanthropy Chair Marilyn Baer.
She said the food was provided by Chartwell’s, and money was raised by entrance fees and various raffles at the event.
“All raffle items were donated by either sorority members or local businesses,” Baer said.
Junior Mary Shinnick, president of Tri Delt, said all participants needed to do to support the cause was “come hungry,” although there was much more then just pasta available to supporters. She said the event lasted two hours, but people were free to come and go as they pleased.
“There was entertainment by DJ Marsh Madness, as well as raffle prizes up for grabs,” she said. “We also held a St. Jude Fast Facts competition. The organization with the most St. Jude facts won a pizza party.”
Tri Delt members like senior Emily Olmstead and sophomore Alecia Mitchell said it was their job to decorate and help set up before the event, and then to “mingle with guests” and “answer (any) questions people had about St. Jude” once the event started.
Olmstead said she enjoyed the conversations she had about St. Jude.
“I think (Pasta for Life) is a good event for people on campus to come together for a good cause,” she said. “It’s important that people know about the hospital and all it does for its patients.”
Although there was a lower turnout than usual this year, Olmstead said, the amount of money raised was above average.
Olmstead and Mitchell said they thought advertising and promotion of the event was an area that could be improved for next year.
“We could have done a better job in getting the word out to the OWU community about Pasta for Life,” Mitchell said. “None of my professors knew about the event. Next year we will make sure that more people including staff, students, and local alumni will be invited.”
Freshman John Florence was among those students invited, and said he and some Phi Delt brothers skipped dinner that night to go to Pasta for Life.
He said the fundraiser exceeded his expectations, and he said his favorite part was spotting Rock Jones at the table beside him.
“From DJ Marsh Madness to the raffle that was held, every part of the event was really well organized,” Florence said. “The Tri Delts deserve a lot of credit.”
Chemistry Professor Dan Vogt said he and Humanities-Classics Professor Lee Fratantuono attended Pasta for Life to support the Tri Delt women as their academic advisers. He said the pair frequently attends Tri Delt and Pan-Hellenic events.
“(The fundraiser) is for a great cause – raising money to support the kids at St. Jude Hospital,” Vogt said. “As the father of a daughter with a chronic illness, I find that especially rewarding. Having the opportunity to do that as part of Tri Delt’s philanthropy is a bonus.”
Shinnick deemed the event a success, despite “a few bumps in the road,” and credited Baer for the favorable outcome.
“(Pasta for Life) went so smoothly,” she said. “Our philanthropy chair did an excellent job with planning and executing the event.”