Greek Profile: Setting up for charity

CSUS' chapter of Alpha Phi is ready to jump, set and spike into action.

On Nov. 15, the sorority's sisters will be hosting an annual volleyball tournament on the CSUS intra-mural fields to raise money for their philanthropy, Cardiac Care for Women.

The sorority has raised over $3 million for the organization since they first took on the philanthropy.

"When Alpha Phi was started in 1872, the founder wanted the money to go to a cause for women because everything else was for men," said publicity chair Christi Stephens.

The tournament will consist of CSUS sorority and fraternity members as well as people from the community. Each team will pay a $50 registration fee to compete.

All of the money raised goes to Cardiac Care for Women and last year, some sororities and fraternities that didn't participate each donated $50, according to Montevego.

Last year, teams from Chevy's and Mountain Mike's Pizza participated.

"I remember Mountain Mike's from last year because they had uniforms, they were really serious," said sorority member Kelly Montevego.

ALPHI PHI VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT WHEN: November 15 WHERE: CSUS intra-mural fields WHY: Fundraiser for Cardiac Care for Women COST: $50 for each team

The Alpha Phi sisters don't compete in the tournament.

"We don't actually play, we coach," said Stephens. "There are three coaches per team. Their job is to cheer on the players, provide water and bring goodies to keep them encouraged."

The winning team is determined through a process of elimination. The champion team receives a trophy.

"The games are structured and there are rules we go by," said Stephens. "It's not a free-for-all game."

Alpha Phi will also hold a raffle. Anyone can buy $1 to $2 tickets for a chance to win prizes from area businesses. Prizes include dinners, helicopter rides and limousine rides.

"It's a lot of fun," said Stephens. "Usually families and friends of the players come out to watch and we host a barbecue for all of the participants at the end."

Alpha Phi, which was founded in 1968 and is the third oldest sorority on campus, currently has 67 active members and is celebrating its 30th year at CSUS.

The sorority is one of the few sororities to disperse foundation money into three different categories.

The Forget-Me-Not fund is for previous and past Alpha Phi members who are in need.

"It mostly applies to cases of natural disasters or distress, like if a sister's husband were in the hospital and she couldn't afford to pay the bills, Alpha Phi would assist her," said Stephens.

The Scholarship fund is available to both undergraduate and graduate sorority members and is distributed for academic excellence