On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the SMU chapter of Chi Omega hosted a “night of fashion and philanthropy,” entitled “Work It For Wishes,” in the Mack Ballroom of the Umphrey Lee Center.
The event included fashion, food and fun as members of Chi Omega walked the runway, modeling clothes from high-end Dallas stores ranging from formal dress attire to everyday clothing.
Packed to the brim with many patrons having to stand due to the amount of people present, the event not only was entertaining and brought together the SMU community, but it served an incredible cause.
All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Make-A-Wish North Texas and the children they support, as Make-A-Wish is a non-profit that works to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. According to its website, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 38 minutes and believes that “a wish experience can be a game-changer,” and this belief inspires them to “grant wishes to change the lives of kids” that they serve.
Not only did the event involve models from the SMU chapter of Chi Omega, but two very important guests, Lauren and Mary Kate, both a part of the Make-A-Wish-Program, graced the stage with their struts. Lauren, a 16-year old whose wish was granted earlier this year, wished to go to Paris because of her love for fashion, shopping and traveling. She says the best part about going to Paris was “going to all the museums and touristy places and being able to shop.”
On the same night, the chapter of SMU Chi Omega was able to grant a wish for Mary Kate, who wanted to go to Disney World and meet Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.” Mary Kate was crowned a princess on the runway and both Lauren and Mary Kate received a standing ovation by the audience as they strutted down the catwalk.
Emily Towler, senior Chi Omega and Philanthropy Chair of the chapter, spoke about what it is like to be able to put on this event and work with Make-A-Wish.
“This is my favorite event that Chi O does for Make-A-Wish during the year,” says Towler, who modeled in the show herself, presented Mary Kate with her wish, and conducted an interview with Laruen about her Paris trip during the occasion.
“This event brings the chapter together because not only do we love fashion, but it brings us all together to send wish kids on their wishes,” she said.
During the wish granting, the energy was electrifying as many audience members stood up to applaud the wish kids, who were overjoyed.
“Girls from Make-A-Wish and our chapter light up because of their love for fashion, and the fact that all of this is going to such a great cause,” says Towler.
Not only did Chi Omegas volunteer its time to support Make-A-Wish, but senior SMU men had the opportunity to escort the models down the runway, donned in tuxes.
“This is a great philanthropy event,” says SMU senior Elliott Bouillon, who walked in Work It For Wishes. “It is a great way to raise money for a good cause- and getting to strut my stuff on the runway wasn’t bad either.
In all, the SMU Chi Omega chapter produced a great philanthropy event that brought together the SMU community, just as all of the other fraternities and sororities on campus, as well as other student organizations, do year-round.
Work it for Wishes is just one example of the great way that SMU students are making waves not only in their own community, but in the lives of others all around the nation.
