The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

    Cocoa for kids’ dreams

    Rain or shine — or even blizzard — you can expect to see the women of Chi Omega selling cups of hot chocolate outside of their house on Wright Street.

    The women of Chi Omega start selling the hot chocolate at 10 a.m. and finish at 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with two sisters taking an hour-long shift together. Along with the hot chocolate, the sisters also sell other goodies like chips and candy bars.

    “We bundle up during the cold days, and cuddle up in blankets to stay warm,” said Jennie Wojtas, freshman in DGS.

    “We sold 41 cups so far today,” said Melissa Moriarty, sophomore in LAS, on Tuesday. “People also just donate money sometimes, which is really nice.”

    Sometimes people aren’t always so nice and friendly, though.

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    “It’s kind of frustrating when people just walk by and ignore you,” Moriarty said. “But when they smile and say ‘No Thanks’, I think that’s nice.”

    All money from the sales and donations is used to support Chi Omega’s main philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

    The hot chocolate sales were part of the reason that Chi Omega was the Greek chapter with the greatest amount of money raised for their philanthropy, according to the Panhellenic Council Web site.

    Chi Omega raised a total of $30,845.17 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the Spring 2009 semester.

    According to Chi Omega’s Philanthropy chair Catie Schwan, sophomore in Business, Chi Omega also hosts many other philanthropy events to aid the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

    “Just last Friday we hosted a Mardi Gras dinner which we called ‘Fat Friday’ which raised over $800,” Schwan said.

    Chi Omega also partakes in “canning,” where sisters go out two nights a week with cans to collect money outside of campus bars between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

    Meg Carroll, freshman in LAS, participated in the canning on Tuesday night.

    “I canned last night at Kam’s,” Carroll said. “It was really cold, but it was quite the experience.”

    According to the sisters, canning usually brings in the most money. The sisters said people are really supportive when they see them canning out in the cold.

    Katie Roselius, a freshman in AHS, added that people are starting to take notice of the Chi Omega women’s philanthropy efforts.

    When canning, many people ask “Are you the Make-A-Wish girls?” which is a sign that the sorority’s efforts are starting to make an impression on campus, Roselius said.

    It takes more than hot chocolate selling and “canning” to raise the most money out of any sorority on campus.

    “Last year during March Madness we hosted a tournament bracket,” Schwan said. “We had some super cool prizes, and it turned out really successful.”

    In the end though, Schwan said, it’s all about making a difference.

    “Being philanthropy chair has been rewarding, and it really opened my eyes to the world outside the campus bubble.” Schwan said. “So many people need help. It’s nice that children we grant wishes to are from the C-U area, too. Giving back that way has been most rewarding.”

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