Hear that sizzle and taste the golden syrup melt in your mouth. Pancakes bring people together for the comforting taste and the thrill of the spatula flip. Drake sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, Beta Kappa chapter, invites Drake students and the Des Moines community to eat pancakes for a cause this Friday from 7-11 p.m. “Cakes for CASA” will be held at the Kappa Alpha Theta house on Greek Street.
“Last year around 300 people attended and we are planning for 400 this year, although the more the merrier,” junior Theta co-philanthropy chair Emily Carrico said.
Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to Court Appointed Special Advocate, a state-funded organization that gives a voice to abused and neglected minors in the court system. Volunteers in CASA look out for the best interests of the children and serve as role models.
“The inaugural year we were able to donate $1,700,” Carrico said. “This year we hope to hit the $2,000 mark.”
Carrico said she and her Theta sisters truly believe in the great service that CASA provides. Last year over 240,000 children were helped nationally by 75,000 volunteers.
According to the website CASAforchildren.org: “It is quite remarkable that children without CASA involvement are spending an average of over eight months longer in care compared to children having CASA involvement.”
Kappa Alpha Theta has over 125 chapters and chose CASA as its national philanthropy organization in 1989.
“We have a strong relationship with the local CASA program that is always growing,” junior Theta recruitment chair Marissa Fernholz said. “At the beginning of the year, a current CASA (member) gave a touching presentation to our chapter. Her stories of the good that CASA does for children sparked an interest in many of our members to pursue an active volunteering interest.”
While “Cakes for CASA” is the sorority’s main philanthropy event, the women of Theta volunteer throughout the year.
“This year we have already filled backpacks with new school supplies for children who have CASAs,” Fernholz said.
Through Friday, students can get in on the philanthropic fun for a reasonable price. Pancake dinner tickets are available for $4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. in the Olmsted breezeway. Tickets will be $5 at the door on Friday. T-shirts are on sale for $6, and a ticket and T-shirt combo is available for $8.
Break out the guessing skills and guess how many cupcakes are in a jar for just $1 for the chance to win a $50 Target gift card and other prizes.
Philanthropy weeks are a chance for the Greek community to show support of others’ causes. Tonight other chapters will sing serenades about Theta and CASA.
Theta sees that connections built with philanthropy carry on throughout its members’ lives.
“Theta alumnae, inspired by philanthropic involvement during college years, have gone on to serve with CASA programs nationwide,” Fernholz said.
Much like how Drake and Des Moines have become home to many people, Theta wants you to help give children a helping hand for a safe home. Ready your taste buds for melt-in-your-mouth pancakes at “Cakes for CASA.”
What: Pancakes for charity
When: Friday 7 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Kappa Alpha Theta house
Cost: $4 in advance, $5 at the door
