Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: News

Bridget Mischke, sister of Epsilon Sigma Alpha member Jennifer Mischke, hoped to win at bingo during ESA's Family Weekend on Saturday night. ESA members raised $2,413 through auction donations. (Stacy Smith/The Daily Eastern News)

Members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha invited friends, family and alumni Saturday to its Family Weekend at the Miller Banquet Hall to help fund the organization for the previous year.

The sorority raised $2,413 from the auction, doubling the amount from last year, said Megan Gooding, the fundraising coordinator for ESA.

All auction items and desserts were donated by ESA members.

With approximately 150 attendants, tickets cost $13 which included dinner catered by What's Cookin' and attendees had the opportunity to purchase ESA novelty items, bingo cards and auction donations.

Gooding said she was impressed this year because of the turnout, prizes and amount of donations received.

"I'm really happy with the turnout and so grateful for everyone's help," she said.

ESA holds the event every year to help raise money for donations and maintain a general budget, which is used for Family Weekend, formal and other events, she said.

Hilary Hancock, president of ESA, also helped organize Family Weekend.

"The organization is important because you get to meet a great group of girls and make a difference in people's lives in the community that you can see," she said. "We're making lives better, helping save lives and making lifelong friends."

ESA's largest philanthropy is donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Easter Seals.

Kristin Beltrame, alumni and one of the first members of ESA in 1990, attended the event to support her niece.

She said the organization helped her be more generous and understanding of others.

"After graduation I donated time at a homeless shelter serving food and setting up beds," she said. "Being involved with ESA has taught me to go out and learn more about the community."

Beltrame advises members to build strong relationships and have fun giving back to others.

"Enjoy what you're doing in college and make an effort to stay in touch with close friends afterwards," she said.

New pledges must complete 25 service hours a semester and active members must complete 20 hours a semester.

Jennifer Mischke, a new ESA member, has completed 13 hours of community service work. Some of her service work was helping with highway cleanup and Special Olympics and cleaning a house for someone who was unable to.

"It seemed like 25 hours would be really hard, but you get to do everything with the girls and it's a lot of fun," said Mischke, a sophomore elementary education major. "It's very cool to be able to help someone who's in that much need."

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