Phi Delta Epsilon, an International Medical Fraternity on campus, held the first day of a pop-up thrift store event at the Siebel Center for Design on Thursday to raise money for St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield. 

The event was PhiDE’s first ever thrift store pop-up shop and their first event of the semester. “The point of this event is a fundraiser and also to make some money for the Children’s Hospital, while also keeping in touch with college students by giving good quality clothes at an affordable price,” said Isabel Wojcik, vice president of finance for PhiDE.

Wojcik said many college students love thrifting and shopping and a lot of times students can’t afford higher priced items of clothing. 

“I’m a big fan of vintage shops and thrifting. I saw there was an event on campus, so I thought I would check it out,” said Iris Cazaress, freshman in ACES.

The main goal of the PhiDE event was to provide as many funds as possible that would go directly to the children’s hospital. 

“Everything we have here is actually donated by people. The clothing racks, the shoes, the hangers, everything,” Wojcik said. 

PhiDE collected a total of 489 clothing items. The proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network, the philanthropic institution that PhiDE works with to support St. Johns Children Hospital. 

Students supported PhiDE’s decision to donate all their proceeds.

“It’s important for frats and sororities and big organizations to donate money and give back to other organizations that also need it,” Cazaress said.  

PhiDE hopes that if the event goes well, they will be able to have an event like this every semester. 

“Hopefully it can be something that everyone on campus can start to get to know and become a tradition,” Wojcik said.   

PhiDE will host the same event between 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.  

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