Due to social distancing guidelines, Alpha Phi members needed to find a way to continue their philanthropic work amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. So members turned to Instagram for Alpha Phi’s first ever virtual event.
The organization hosted an online Pumpkin Carving Contest open to groups with four or less members for a $5 entry fee. Alpha Phi’s proceeds from the event went directly to the Woman’s Heart Health foundation. Some of the sorority’s past philanthropic events have included basketball tournaments, grilled cheese fundraisers and the “Mr. Ivy” competition.
Alpha Phi held the event Oct. 18 and judged the entries Oct. 19.
Alpha Phi’s President Alexis Millard said, “With social media being an easy way to raise awareness, we came up with our first ever virtual philanthropy event.”
Alpha Phi held the contest over Instagram by having teams post pictures of their pumpkins and tagging the sorority to enter (@shipalphaphi).
Then the sorority would post the submissions on their live story so that viewers could follow along and see the rounds within the bracket. The brackets had two pumpkins to be voted against one another to see which pumpkin would make it to the final round.
Several other Greek organizations and members entered the contest including several pumpkins from the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and Theta Xi’s Junior Alvarez, who is Alpha Phi’s current sweetheart. Savannah Elder from the Kappa Delta Phi Sorority won the contest earning a $25 gift card and a spooky basket.
To see the pumpkin photos, check out @ShipAlphaPhi on Instagram.
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