Sorority cultures awareness, funds with yogurt contest

From left, Catherine Mitchell and Jennifer Norris put their Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons. DTH/Lauren Vied

After raising more than $10,000 last year, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority is hosting its second Think Pink Week to raise money for breast cancer research.

The week, which features a different event each day, kicked off Monday with a “pink out,” where sorority members wore pink shirts around campus. The week will culminate Sunday with a fundraiser luncheon at The Carolina Inn.

There will also be a yogurt-eating contest at noon today in the Pit, which will feature UNC football players and allow students to compete for an iPod.

Proceeds from the week will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a grassroots network designed to save lives and ensure quality cancer care.

Hannah Robinson, the sorority’s philanthropy chair, said the yogurt contest’s oddity should draw attention.

“It’ll be a great way to watch your peers and cheer on the football team doing something you don’t usually see them do,” she said.

A representative from Susan G. Komen for the Cure will speak on campus Wednesday. Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will hold a bake sale Thursday for cancer patients, and there will be a barbecue Friday at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

The sorority is competing with the Duke University Zeta Tau Alpha sorority chapter to see which organization can generate more money during the week.

While Robinson was hesitant to say how much money she expects the sorority to raise, she said she hopes the group will collect more this year than last.

“We don’t want to jinx it,” Robinson said with a chuckle. “We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.