If you happen to find yourself in a drunken haze this Friday, latch onto some friends and stumble over to Greek Row, where the Delta Delta Delta sorority is hosting this school year’s first Delta House of Pancakes philanthropy event.
The once-a-semester event helps raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the organization.
Tri-Delta will be serving plain and chocolate chip pancakes coupled with whipped cream and syrup — the perfect meal to cushion the blow of a heavy hangover.
The meal will be $5 at the door or $7 to participate in the hourly pancake-eating contest. Student DJ Ellery Gordon will provide the evening’s entertainment.
The sorority has hosted DHOP for the last seven years, said Steffani Violette, the sorority’s philanthropy chair. The girls, she added, are ready to kick off their first philanthropy event of the school year and reach their goal of $10,000 on Friday night.
The chapter’s goal is to raise $60,000 total during the year to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Nationally, the Delta Delta Delta sorority is trying to raise $15 million in five years, and it has currently raised $14.2 million in three years, according to Violette.
“I’m really big on philanthropy, so I’m excited to see how much we make by the end of the night,” said Tatum Armitage, vice president of public relations, “Everybody here is so passionate about St. Jude.”
In 1999, the national sorority paired with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to directly support cancer research.
As for the large crowd of people, the women said they’re ready to take on party-goers and pancake-lovers alike. Violette said she expects this year’s event to bring in a turnout like they’ve never seen before — about 2,500 people — thanks to Homecoming Weekend. This year, the sorority has expanded the event space to include the side of the house.
Last year, DHOP raised $8,000 in the spring semester and $16,000 for the entire year, said Claire Rudder, the sorority’s president.
“We’re doing big things, and we’re so excited to be a part of it,” Rudder said. “We’d love to see as many people come out as possible. We want to continue the positivity that is associated with DHOP.”
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