At AEPhi, raising money for our two national philanthropies Sharsheret and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is extremely important. Each semester we put on fun events to raise money in support of these organizations, most recently being Manicure for the Cure, Fries with the Phis, and Taquito Thursday with AEPhi.
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation was founded by Elizabeth Glaser (an AEPhi at the University of Wisconsin, Sigma Chapter) and two of her close friends in 1988, shortly after Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, discovered that she, along with their two children Ariel and Jake, were infected with the AIDS virus, a result of a blood transfusion. The goal of the organization is to educate people on the special issues concerning children with the AIDS virus. The foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards AIDS research in the 15+ years since its inception at the Glaser's kitchen table. AEPhi is proud to be able to support such a worthy cause through the efforts of its members.
Sharsheret
Sharsheret is a national organization of cancer survivors dedicated to addressing the unique concerns of young Jewish women facing breast cancer. Sharsheret, Hebrew for "chain," was founded in 2001 by Rochelle Shoretz, a former Law Clerk to United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recognized the need for a breast cancer organization that would provide culturally sensitive support for Jewish women after her own diagnosis at age 28. Since the organization's founding, Sharsheret has responded to thousands of phone calls from health care professionals, Jewish organizations, women's organizations, women affected by breast cancer, their families, and friends.
Fraternity Philanthropies
In addition to our two national philanthropies, we also participate in two fraternity philanthropy events each semester. Last year we participated in go carting at Fast Times with AEPi, played football in Phi Kap's Girls of the Gridiron, Phi Delta Theta's Wild West Showdown which included paint balling, and Zeta Beta Tau's Volleyball Classic!
Greek Week
Each semester Panhellenic, IFC, NPHC, and USFC sororities and fraternities team up for Greek Week and raise money for a common cause while participating in a week filled with fun events. Sororities and Fraternities are paired together from different councils to create teams. Each team will compete to raise the most money, and in the end one team is crowned Greek Week Champion! The week usually consists of different fundraiser events, ending with a day of Greek games and dance competition. Last semester Greek Week raised over $20,000 to help fund research for a fellow Greek with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a hereditary condition that causes the deterioration of the opic nerve, causing blindness.
