Philanthropy is one of the key values that brings a sorority together, and nothing brings the girls of Alpha Xi Delta at UCF together more than fundraising for the Kindly Hearts Initiative. The Theta Sigma chapter is well known on Greek Row for its flag football tournament and all-you-can-eat ziti events, which precede its fall fundraising. It was fun to be a part of the action this year.
Alpha Xi Delta was founded in 1893 at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois. The philanthropy they work to bring national attention to is called the Kindly Hearts Initiative, and here in Orlando, Rise Community Solutions. The profits from Theta Sigma’s fall philanthropy week usually go directly to RCS, and in the spring, to KHI.
Kindly Hearts helps children and teens in foster care through programs that set them up for a better life. The organization also works with unhoused adults who need assistance.
One program the organization offers includes “Breakthrough.” This helps teens who are struggling with mental health, a children’s advocacy aspect that allows kids to work through the hardships of going through foster care. Another program is called “Pathways to Home,” which focuses on helping patients find stable housing.
Katie Reed, the sorority’s vice president of philanthropy, has worked hard to bring these events to life. Although she has a lot on her plate, she has help from her “Xi-Man Team,” a group of ten other girls who back her and help to plan certain aspects of the week.
“It’s been such a rewarding experience, and it’s made me a better person just learning about what these people are going through. I can’t even imagine — it makes you realize how lucky you are,” Reed said. “We really want everyone to participate and feel like they can truly make a difference; so it’s not just us as Alpha Xi Delta, but we really want everyone to be included and participate so that we can all make a difference together.”
The week
The first event of the week is called “Xiti with the Xi’s,” and is hosted at the chapter’s house on Greek Row here at UCF. This week in particular was the second of Florida’s sneaky winter cold fronts, so as the sun set at 5:30 p.m., shortly before the event started, there was a chill in the air as the girls set up their many boxes of ziti for guests. There was a raffle with many fun prizes, a permanent jewelry stand, and a custom hat-making small business, which also made an appearance, much to the delight of the sisters.
Preorder was $8, and at the door it was $12. While the outside temperature was not ideal for receiving guests, it added an extra layer of warmth to the interactions that were had inside. Since Alpha Xi’s Fall Philo Week is usually held in September, this was a sharp change. However, the idea of having pasta on a cold night is so cozy and perfect for bringing in donations that it would be remiss of me not to call the event a success.
There was also a canned food drive that ran the entire week. Last year, the girls did a toy drive. This year, with the event so close to the holidays, Reed made the executive decision to hold a can drive instead so that RCS could provide for their patrons and unhoused people over the holidays.
The second significant event of the week was the “Xi Car Wash.” The Philo team had girls in front of the house with signs to bring in customers for a car wash at the back of the house. It was chilly out, and music was blasting as cars pulled through to be washed by Alpha Xi girls.
There was also an option to “Pie a Xi” for $2 on the way out, once customers finished their car wash. The girls had fun, bringing a youthful and innocent energy to the day, even as some of them got slapped in the face with whipped cream. Reed even got in on the fun, getting pied and washing cars with her sisters.
The week concluded with the last main event of the week, “Football Frenxi,” held at Hagerty High School on Nov. 16. The day started at 10 a.m. and concluded at 2 p.m., with the main objective to play flag football. Football Frenxi is an event that is exclusive to the Theta Sigma chapter.
Also, any organization is welcome to register for the day of flag football, but it usually ends up being a battle between the fraternities (in good standing), and a few sororities participate in the week as well.
This year, Tridelta won Football Frenxi overall, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon raised the most money, which led them to win the Xi-Man competition. The overall amount raised this week was around $12,500, which may not be as much as the girls have raised in the past, but the week will undoubtedly be remembered among the community as one that brought heart and soul to Greek Row.
Congratulations to Alpha Xi on a successful week, and I’m excited to see what else you do for the community!