Zeta Tau Alpha holds Slime a Zeta event to benefit philanthropy

Zeta Tau Alpha sorority held Slime a Zeta – an event to benefit its national philanthropy – on Sept. 15 on the STEPS/Maginnes lawn. The event also served as a promotional event for Zeta Tau Alpha’s Pink Week which will be held in October.

Students were able to pay to throw a bucket of pink “slime” on a member of the chapter, with all of the proceeds benefiting Zeta’s national philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness.

Chapters of Zeta Tau Alpha all across the country participate in this event every year as a way to educate people and raise awareness for breast cancer. However, this year was the Lehigh chapter’s first time hosting the event.

Aly Lang, ’16, slimes Hayden Hosto, ’18, at the Slime a Zeta event at the STEPS lawn on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. The proceeds from Slime a Zeta go to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation to support breast cancer awareness and education. (Gaby Morera/B&W Photo)

Ashley Park, ’16, Zeta’s director of philanthropy, said despite hosting the event for the first time, it was very successful and the chapter made a profit of almost $250. Park explained that the actual amount collected the day of the event was much higher, but they had to subtract the cost of the supplies they purchased.

“We were all pleasantly surprised with the turn out for our first Slime a Zeta fundraiser and hope that we can continue doing this event in years to come to raise awareness for breast cancer and promote Pink Week, which will come in October,” said Stephanie Cook, ’17, a member of the chapter who helped organize the event.

Jacy Herman, ’17, said she went out onto the lawn to take a break from studying when she saw the event taking place.

“I was able to donate to an unbelievable cause while also having fun by throwing a bucket of slime onto one of my friends,” Herman said.

Members of the chapter hope the Slime a Zeta event will get students excited for its biggest philanthropy event, Pink Week, which will take place in October and has annually been a presence on Lehigh’s campus. Pink Week is always held in October to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation sponsors Breast Cancer Awareness Month in attempt to educate people on how to detect the disease in its early stages. Zeta Tau Alpha chapters all across the country have been participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month for years.

Emma Bolla, ’16, left, and Sara Lampert, ’18, get slimed by Shane Wolfe, ’17, at the Slime a Zeta event on the STEPS lawn on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. The proceeds from Slime a Zeta go to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation to support breast cancer awareness and education. (Gaby Morera/B&W Photo)

According to the Zeta Tau Alpha national website, “during the month of October, chapters distribute Think Pink^® ribbons, breast self-examination (BSE) calendar stickers and Shower cards. However, many chapters promote Think Pink^® throughout the year.”

Zeta chapters across the nation have been so influential through their events that Think Pink is now a registered trademark of Zeta Tau Alpha with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Lehigh’s Zeta chapter will participate in Think Pink activities once again this year by hosting the same events that they have in past years while also incorporating a few other activities to raise awareness. Park said Zeta will be continuing its annual events such as keeping The Goose open late, partnering with Challah for Hunger and hosting a cake decorating contest on the STEPS lawn. In addition to all of these annual events, Zeta is also hosting a philanthropic gala at its house on campus.

In addition to on-campus events, Zeta will be traveling to MetLife stadium to participate in a pink ribbon handout before a New York Jets game. Pink ribbons will also be handed out at Lehigh’s pink out football game against Georgetown which will take place at Goodman Stadium on Oct. 31 as part of family weekend.