The Chi Omega sorority hosted Cookies with Chi-Os in the Hughes-Trigg Commons on Thursday night as a philanthropy event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The sisters also wanted to celebrate the beginning of the year and gain momentum for other philanthropic events.
“We want to raise awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation because it is such a great organization,” Chi-O member Joann Tam said. This event is also meant to preface other programs that will benefit Make-A-Wish, like Chi-O’s annual fashion show, Fashion with a Passion.
The importance of these events is in the national alliance between Chi Omega and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This alliance is derived from one of the purposes of Chi Omega, to participate in philanthropy and community service efforts. According to the Chi Omega Web site, the sorority has raised more than $4.5 million and 280,000 hours of service.
Within the partnership, the Chi Omega chapter at SMU has a specific tie with the North Texas Chapter. “It’s really motivating to be so close to the North Texas Chapter, because we are able to impact people right in our area,” Chi Omega President Maggie Easterlin said.
Chi Omega was able to donate money to the foundation from the $3 ticket sales, as well as honor the important services that Make-A-Wish provides.
While this was a philanthropy event, it was also an opportunity to meet people and enjoy the company of the Chi Omega sorority. There were frequent raffles for gift cards from various bakeries and a slide show of pictures of Chi-Os playing in the back. As people mixed in to pick up their cookies, they could take part in what Tam calls “chit chat and cookies,” and spread the word about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.