For any planned event, there has to be some element of entertainment that entices attendees and brings a promise of excitement. Whether through performances, food or various activities, the goal is to create an enjoyable environment for guests.

This idea also applies to the different sorority and fraternity sponsored events around campus. At UGA, the Panhellenic community can get very creative when it comes to philanthropy. While there is no one set formula that establishes what will make a philanthropy event successful, it is clear that many members of the Greek community have come up with pretty good ideas on how to convince people to support their vast array of charitable endeavors.

When planning a philanthropy event, most people try to create incentives that will draw in the largest amount of guests possible. Many sororities and fraternities advertise food as a major element of their events. Kappa Delta’s “All-You-Can-Eat Waffle House Dinner” is an example of this. In support of Prevent Child Abuse American and Prevent Child Abuse Athens, attendees can pay a few dollars for all you can eat Waffle House at the KD house. The average college student often cannot deny an offer of all you can eat food at a relatively low price, which makes this approach very alluring to potential guests. Other sororities, such as Alpha Delta Pi, use music entertainment as their main attraction. ADPi’s 2014 spring philanthropy event, “Pop, Top and Rock It,” was held downtown at New Earth Music Hall and attracted listeners by featuring local talent. Sophomore ADPi, Mandi Goodman, stated of the show, “This was a creative and fun way to generate support for our philanthropy, the Ronald McDonald House.” 

Another way sororities and fraternities entertain guests is by supplying an assortment of activities. Kappa Alpha Theta’s event, “CASA Carnival,” held last March, featured music on Theta’s front lawn, food from Raising Cane’s and various carnival games, including a dunk tank and cotton candy machine. Theta’s Philanthropy Director Katy Underwood said of the event, “I think that ‘CASA Carnival’ went so well because there were lots of different activities to go along with the meal so people ended up sticking around for a while. We wanted it to be an ‘event’ instead of just a ‘meal.’” The success of “CASA Carnival” is evident in the fact that Theta raised $11,000 for their philanthropy.             

From Sigma Delta Tau’s “Greek Grind” to Delta Sigma Phi’s “Miss Sorority Row,” there are so many different types of philanthropy events throughout the Greek community. While there is no “right” way of planning, advertising and carrying out an event, each sorority and fraternity has made a point of coming up with their own recipe for what makes a philanthropy event successful.