Good food. Even Better Cause
Last Wednesday, October 9, Alpha Omicron Pi hosted their bi-annual AOPigOut, an event that celebrates tasty food and supports an even better cause: the Arthritis Foundation.
Like other chapters nationwide, the sorority honors the Arthritis Foundation year round. Their philanthropy push week, however, takes that awareness to a whole new level.
Named in honor of the international awareness color associated with arthritis, Blue Week is a week-long philanthropy push in which Alpha Omicron Pi hosts various events (including everyone’s favorite: AOPigOut) to raise funding and more comprehensive awareness for the Arthritis Foundation.
Although the sorority aims to raise awareness for all who suffer from arthritis, their main focus is bringing awareness to the children suffering from it. The chapter has recently made a strong effort to raise awareness for the #KidsGetArthritisToo campaign, and even used the hashtag to promote various philanthropy events throughout the week on social media.
Nationally, the sorority associates with the color red, but when it comes to their philanthropy, they “go blue.”
Blue Week started off with a bang when Alpha Omicron Pi partnered with Kopper Top to bring furry friends to campus. While cuddly bunnies, dogs and cats greeted students as they walked from class to class (*cue heart throb*), sisters were being pie-ed left and right for each $1 donation made to the Arthritis Foundation.
“I will admit that being pie-ed wasn’t my favorite part, but it was funny and for a good cause,” Emma Barowich, a sister and philanthropy head, said.
Funds were also raised through a profit share with Elon’s beloved: All that JAS, and meal swipe donations at information tables, where students and faculty could donate the monetary value of a meal swipe to the foundation and learn a thing or two about arthritis.
But let’s get back to the unlimited (yes, unlimited) BBQ and mac and cheese. During AOPigOut, sisters dressed in their “Kids Get Arthritis Too” t-shirts greeted and served hungry visitors with plates of pulled pork, pulled chicken and the cheesiest mac and cheese you’ll ever eat. Is your mouth watering yet?? Ours are.
With well over 300 students from different organizations and groups on campus stopping by, the event raised thousands of dollars and, more importantly, awareness for such a deserving cause. Not only did guests leave with bellies full of food, but minds full of new information.
Although the food was enticing, the cause is what makes the event so worthwhile.
“The delicious food is a great way to get people interested in the event, but honestly I think a lot of kids are willing to come and donate to a good cause,” Barowich said.
It’s safe to say the event was a yummy success! If you weren’t able to stop by this time, we highly recommend you attend AOPigOut (with an empty stomach, of course) and all other Greek Life philanthropy events in the future!