Chi Omega Loves the Community
Written by Christina Dressel
Only two weeks into the semester, the Rho Gamma chapter of the Chi Omega sorority at Hillsdale College planned two philanthropic events, hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a blood drive for American Red Cross.
Senior Chi Omega member and former Philanthropy Chair Kristi Gordon planned the Blood Drive, while junior and current Philanthropy Chair Sheridan Markatos organized the Pancake Breakfast.
While Chi Omega usually puts on multiple blood drives per semester, this one was unique because it was a part of an American Red Cross competition amongst Michigan colleges to see which college could collect the most units of blood over a previously set goal.
Hillsdale College, because of its higher percentage of students who participate in philanthropic efforts, was given a much higher goal relative to its size than other, larger Michigan schools. Despite several setbacks due to weather conditions, Hillsdale still came very close to making its goal, and Kristi is extremely happy with the results.
The Annual Chi-O Pancake Breakfast was an enormous success, raising over $1,000 for Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in just three hours. Hosted in the Chi Omega dining room, the women of the sorority cooked and served pancakes to students, professors, and members of the Hillsdale community. Even college president Dr. Arnn made an appearance, teaching everyone how to make his famous chocolate chip Mickey-Mouse pancakes.
Chi Omega is currently planning a volleyball tournament set to take place in late March in order to raise money for Make-A-Wish. Philanthropy Chair Sheridan Markatos also hopes to organize a 5k for the spring to raise money for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), an organization dedicated to eating disorder awareness and prevention.
A freshman at Hillsdale, Christina Dressel is currently pursuing a Politics and Spanish double major. She hopes to study abroad in Spain and eventually work in marketing or business. Christina is also a new member of the Chi Omega sorority and participates in both club and intramural volleyball.