Pi Kappa Phi and Delta Phi Epsilon combined its fundraising efforts for The Ability Experience as a joint philanthropy event. Students raised $445 by signing a banner to promote positive body image and taking part in the fraternityÕs Òcar smash.Ó Ramel Holiday | Pi Kappa Phi Eta Lambda Chapter
Located in the college Union Mall, members of Pi Kappa Phi conducted its first official “Car Smash” in an effort to raise money for The Ability Experience, the fraternity’s national philanthropy. Brothers and passing students alike were encouraged to smash a donated 1996 Chevrolet Impala at a wide variety of prices. Those interested in participating could hit the car once for $2, three times for $5, two straight minutes for $10 and a full 10 minutes for $20. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15, was a success from the start, according to Pi Kappa Phi Vice President Nicholas Feligno.
“It [the event] was very successful,” Feligno said. “I can tell you within seven or eight minutes we already had $50 donated right off the bat. We had people who wanted to do the $20 and dig in. We had brothers do it and we had other people do it … Once people saw what was going on, it went well. The way we actually broadcasted it is [Monday] night we sent out about 10 people and chalked up all the grounds saying ‘car smash.’ We wrote it on all the chalk boards in the dorms as well.”
The Pi Kappa Phi brothers were accompanied by members of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, who hosted a philanthropy event of their own. A number of sisters set up a table next to the car in the Union Mall and had a banner on display where passersby could sign and support the sorority’s message this semester of feeling comfortable in your own body.
“Our philanthropy event is for ANAD, which stands for Anorexia Nervous and Associated Disorders,” Delta Phi Epsilon President Ally Lindke said. “It’s one of Delta Phi Epsilon’s three philanthropies and it’s all about eating disorder awareness. Along with that, right now part of our recruitment is being a Greek goddess and feeling comfortable being yourself. We set up a banner that says ‘I feel like a goddess in my own body’ and it’s our own way of promoting positive body image and self-esteem.”