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The Dress is to Die for The Cause is to Live for |
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How to Go Red Alpha Phi Style: Dinner. Auctions. Red Dresses. Friends and Family. One Night. $41,785! It’s simple. Go Red. Go red for courage, go red for hope, go red to help find a cure for the #1 killer of women in America. Go red for cardiac care.
Eta Kappa always likes to get dolled-up, but once a year we put our best red dresses on in support of the Alpha Phi Foundation (which provides funding and educational programming for women’s cardiac care organizations, as well as leadership initiatives for Alpha Phi chapters), and the American Heart Association. In March of 2007, Eta Kappa joined the efforts other Alpha Phi chapters around the world in their quest to combat women’s heart disease by hosting Alpha Phi International’s traditional Red Dress Gala. Over the past three years, the Red Dress Gala has become a successful trend, epitomizes all that Alpha Phi’s stand for: poise, compassion, character, and sophistication.
Between the lavish three-course meal, over 150 donated gift baskets – ranging from spa packages to in-demand sports tickets – and a live celebrity emcee, the Gala couldn’t get much more spectacular. As designer jewelry and time share vacations were announced, the auction paddles were flying. However, the evening didn’t stop there – as Alpha Phi’s very own graduating seniors strutted down the runway in their beautiful red gowns. As the night drew to a close, gift baskets were whisked away into the cars of parents and alumnae, hugs were shared, and a chapter stood unified by hard work and passion for a cause. The result: raising $41,785 for the Alpha Phi Foundation and the American Heart Association. The inspiration has yet to leave our own hearts, and as our third annual Red Dress Gala approaches, Eta Kappa can only strive for bigger and better contributions to our chapter’s philanthropic cause.
Over the past three years, Eta Kappa has taken advanced strides to solidify the Red Dress Gala as our chapter’s annual philanthropy event. By working closely with the local American Heart Association offices on the UCI campus, Eta Kappa is able to invite members of the Association to our Gala, as well as members of the Alpha Phi Foundation, and feel a genuine sense of charity as we see our money being put to immediate use. This working relationship has proven to be invaluable, as we are able to donate half of our total money raised to our specific chapter of the AHA. In return, the AHA recently granted Eta Kappa an award for “Outstanding Community Contribution” in recognition of our Gala efforts, Alpha Phi International recognized Eta Kappa at the 2010 Convention as having the “Most Funds Raised” in the Southwest region and "Second Most Funds Raised" in the nation, the UCI Dean of Students awarded Alpha Phi for "The Most Outstanding Philanthropy," and at Greek Awards Alpha Phi was honored with the "Best Philanthropic Event" award. Also from the City of Beverly Hills "Proclamation from the City of Beverly Hills" award. As the Red Dress Gala gains momentum within our chapter, campus, and community, our sisters pride themselves on the authentic effort and heightened philanthropic awareness we share as members of Alpha Phi – a distinction that transpires between us, hand to hand and heart to heart.
We are honored to have raised $41,785 at our Fourth Annual Red Dress Gala which took place on Saturday, February 20, 2010.
If you are interested in more information about this event contact: Taylor Kunihiro the Director of Philanthropy, Red Dress Gala at Taykuni@gmail.com
Save the Date! The Fifth Annual Red Dress Gala will be taking place on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
More information about our Fifth Annual Red Dress Gala will be provided soon. |
