“Be True to You”: Delta Phi Epsilon raises ANAD awareness

The ladies of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority hosted their “Be True To You” philanthropy week Feb. 27 through March 1 to benefit their main philanthropy, Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).

The week’s events included a candlelight vigil, pasta dinner, self-esteem workshop and an all-male pageant that raised over $1,300.

“We’re super excited,” Philanthropy Chair and Lowell senior Laura Walsh said. “It’s the first time we’ve made this into a competition.”

“Be True To You” week is a first for the sorority. They decided to turn many events into a whole week similar to what their University of Michigan chapter does, instead of hosting two to three separate events on campus. The philanthropy week was also a friendly fraternity competition for the men of Interfraternity Council (IFC). For attending each event or participating in the specified activities, fraternity men were given points throughout the week to win a monetary donation benefiting their philanthropy.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity won with 400 points and received $150 toward the Children’s Miracle Network, which will be benefiting the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.

With an honorable mention, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity came in second place, losing by a mere 50 points.

As their first event, a candlelight vigil was held on Feb. 27 for those who have suffered from ANAD. The sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon walked from the Warriner Seal to their house on South Washington and West Gaylor Street in silence.

“The peace vigil was in honor of those who have passed with the disease,” Walsh said.

On Feb. 29, Delta Phi Epsilon hosted a Self-Esteem Workshop and both women and men were encouraged to attend. The workshop included confidence building activities, compliment games and discussion on women’s body image in advertising.

“50 percent of women aren’t happy with who they are,” Walsh said. “So this event is to help boost people’s self-esteem.”

One of Delta Phi Epsilon’s most popular events was Deepher Dudes, hosted March 1, which is an all male pageant where contestants participated in three rounds of competition.

After paying the $12 registration fee and receiving 50 points for being a competitor if they were Greek, men were faced with a question and answer portion. For the second round, there was a talent portion and finally a modeling round where the men walked the stage in an outfit they felt their best in.

Pi Kappa Phi’s Justin Toliver came out victorious as the 2012 Deepher Dude winning 150 points and a free Greek lettered shirt.

“I decided to compete because I loved the cause that they were doing the whole week,” Toliver, a Farmington Hills freshman said. “It sounded like something fun for me to get involved in.”

While the sorority’s main philanthropy is ANAD, the sisters also spend time helping organizations and causes such as Organ Donor Awareness, Cystic Fibrosis, and the Delta Phi Epsilon Education Foundation.

Next up on Delta Phi Epsilon’s agenda will be advocating people to register to become organ donors, which will take place at the Down Under Food Court in March.