Sisters of five sororities in the National Panhellenic Conference and brothers of the Iota Psi Chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity danced the night away Saturday at the “Derby Days Lip Synch” to raise awareness for a variety of philanthropic organizations.
In honor of its 22nd annual Derby Days “On the Banks” weeklong fundraising event, Sigma Chi fraternity and Delta Gamma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Delta Tau and Alpha Chi Omega sororities concluded Derby Days with performances at a lip synch.
The event raised $34,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and Huntsman Cancer Foundation — both of which are Sigma Chi’s philanthropies — and for each of the sororities’ philanthropies, said Derby Days Director Gregory Smith.
Half of the proceeds raised by each sorority go to their individual philanthropies and the other half goes to the Children’s Miracle Network, he said.
“It’s not only having the sororities compete to raise money for philanthropy, but it’s a way to establish relationships among the five sororities,” said Smith, a Rutgers College senior. “Everyone is out to win, but everyone knows the reason we put on Derby Days is because it’s always a success and we’re raising money for all of these really great philanthropies.”
Zeta Tau Alpha was the grand winner of Derby Days, raising the most money and gaining the most points in the weeklong string of competitions, Smith said.
Jamie Dinardi, Zeta Tau Alpha “Derby Diva,” said the organization was excited to win because they did not participate in Derby Days last year.
She is glad they are able to support the Children’s Miracle Network and their philanthropy, the Breast Cancer Research Network.
“We just hope to help out in any small way possible,” said Dinardi, a School of Arts and Sciences senior.
The sisters worked hard to raise the most money and on their lip synch performance, Zeta Tau Alpha sister Amanda Abramo said.
“We really, really wanted it,” said Abramo, a Mason Gross School of the Arts junior. “We practiced so hard — like every night.”
Sigma Delta Tau won first-place in the lip synch after performing their “Waking Up in Vegas” theme.
Alisa Purifico, Sigma Delta Tau “Derby Diva,” said the lip synch was meant to be fun, but all the hard work put into it was mostly an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and their philanthropy, Prevent Child Abuse America.
“We’re really hoping to just bring our sorority together and really just gain spirit,” said Purifico, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. “When we’re up there dancing, all we’re really doing is thinking about all of the children we’re helping, and all the girls feel the same way.”
The lip synch opened with the emcee of the night, Kaitlin Clutter, an elected spokeswoman for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Kaitlin, 9, who is battling spina bifida, said she was thankful for the organizations’ support.
“I’m really, really excited,” said Kaitlin, who was elected as the only spokesperson for the network in the state. “I think it’s going to raise a lot of money for the children in the hospital and to help everyone.”
She announced the sororities in the “Captain and Diva” dances, where each “Derby Diva” performed a dance and lip synch duet with a Sigma Chi brother. Themes ranged from “Grease” and Michael Jackson to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” song.
Sigma Kappa took home the first-place title for the “Captain and Diva” dance.
School of Arts and Sciences junior Chatoia Martin said the event was fun and supported a good cause.
“This is my first [time attending an] event like this,” Martin said. “I’m just really excited, and it’s going to be a great time.”
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior Samuel Lopez said he enjoyed the performances and was pleased with the motive of the organizations.
“I thought it was wonderful how all of these people got together for such a great cause,” Lopez said. “I was just reading Kaitlin’s story, and I think it’s really touching and it makes people aware.”
Delta Gamma “Derby Diva” Erin Gloor said she was glad Kaitlin was able to attend the event.
“It brings [her] out to a college campus and it’s a lot of fun,” said Gloor, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. “[The children at Children’s Miracle Network] are always in the hospital, and coming to see the performance would actually help them out a lot.”
The sisters of Delta Gamma ran onto the stage with their race car theme, dressed in racer jackets and dancing to songs like “Crash” by pop artist Gwen Stefani and “Shut up and Drive” by singer Rihanna.
Delta Gamma’s philanthropy is Service for Sight, an organization that helps provide glasses, Braille books and more services for the visually impaired and the blind.
Sigma Kappa “Derby Diva” Victoria Scott said she is glad the series of events brought the greek community together.
“It definitely raises awareness around the campus,” said Scott, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior. “Everyone saw what was going on [during the week], and I just hope that we raised enough money to make a difference.”
Sigma Kappa, dressed in army attire for their army-themed performance, stomped their way across the stage as they performed dances to various songs.
Alpha Chi Omega “Derby Diva” Jill Boden said the event was a success.
“I definitely had a good time and I know all the sisters did as well, especially during the lip synch,” said Boden, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior. “We had a great time choreographing.”
Although the organizations last year raised more than $40,000, a greater amount than this year, Smith said the different donations will still be greatly supported.
“Overall, I think Derby Days is going out with a bang regardless of how much money we made,” he said. “We may not have topped the years past, but there’s still thousands and thousands of dollars that were donated to people who really need it.”
Greeks rake in $34K for charity
Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Updated: Sunday, October 25, 2009
 "Photo: Maya Nachi / Staff Photographer")
Maya Nachi / Staff Photographer
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