Spaghetti, raffles and eating contests were all a part of Phi Mu’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner at St. Luke’s Monday, where they raised more than $10,000 benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Chloe Lawson, 20, Phi Mu’s philanthropy chair from Southaven, Mississippi, said this event was easily successful because people from all over the Mid-South responded.
“Our sorority has been hosting this event since the ‘90s, so it’s become a routine for so many people to come out,” Lawson said. “I mean, who doesn’t like eating spaghetti and raising money for it?”
The national sorority has been raising money for children’s hospitals since 1986. Phi Mu has currently raised more than $8.5 million.
The Memphis chapter volunteers and gives money to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, according to their website. P
hi Mu member Stephanie Barry, 20, a nursing junior from Collierville, Tennessee, said she felt accomplished after seeing the room lined with pictures drawn by patients thanking the sorority for their support.
“This event raised awareness for CMNH throughout the Greek community, University of Memphis and the entire city, which is so awesome,” Barry said. “Seeing all of the artwork and seeing everyone come together was my favorite part of the night.”
Outside of dinner, other activities of the night included a raffle for Costa sunglasses, a parmesan princess game and a balloon release honoring deceased loved ones.
The parmesan princess game was a contest where each sorority submitted an anonymous baby picture of a member along with the person’s favorite pasta.
Delta Gamma came out on top after having the most members to guess the parmesan princess’s identity. Pi Beta Phi member Lainey Ortego, 20, a marketing management junior from Collierville, Tennessee, won the spaghetti eating challenge after devouring her spaghetti in only seconds.
“The contest and event overall was really fun, and I had a great time,” Ortego said. “I really loved how, regardless of what sorority, race or background people came from, everyone was able to come together for a great cause.”
