Miss Indiana speaks for a cause at ISU fundraising event

By Grace Harrah Sep 29, 2017 Updated 1 hr ago

One of Indiana State University’s sororities, Alpha Chi Omega, hosted a fundraising event this past weekend to promote domestic violence awareness. The fundraiser was a flag football tournament, Touch Down in Her Shoes, which raised funds through the sign up of various Greek chapters.

Eighteen total chapters competed for the final prize, including $200 for their own philanthropy and a paddle from the members of Alpha Chi Omega. The winning chapter to take home the award was Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The donated proceeds and funds raised from the tournament went to the local CODA, Council of Domestic Abuse.

The fundraising event welcomed Miss Indiana, Haley Begay, who recently returned from the 2017 Miss America pageant. Begay, whose personal platform is focused on domestic violence awareness, was more than excited to visit ISU and to support a cause she believes in.

“This event was to raise money for women’s shelters, which is very near and dear to my heart,” Begay said.

The event brought her to Indiana State, where she had never visited before.

“This is my first time here at ISU. It’s the perfect size school, and I’m really happy to be here to visit the school and for a good cause,” she said.

Alpha Chi Omega organizes a philanthropy event every year that relates to domestic violence awareness.

Nationwide, Alpha Chi Omega focuses on the issue and raises awareness along with funds to donate to organizations such as CODA locally and nationally. The ISU chapter works with the women’s shelter in Terre Haute and donates all of the funds they raise.

Rachael Zaiger, a junior member of Alpha Chi Omega, was one of the many people that attended the event.

“CODA helps [with] feeding the women and children, giving them shampoo, food and clothes,” Zaiger said.

The popular food truck Twisted Fry was parked at the event.

Zaiger explained the joy of hosting events such as Touch Down in Her Shoes and what it means to her sorority.

“Every year we just want to spread the word about domestic abuse. It’s a thing that happens in every community, and it can be happening to anyone around you. I learned that from Alpha Chi,” Zaiger said.

https://www.isustudentmedia.com/indiana_statesman/life_and_culture/article_f6406b06-a53c-11e7-941e-0ff1e7619f0a.html