Members of Delta Phi Epsilon (DPhiE) tabled throughout the week of March 25 in the student center, as well as hosted a March 26 karaoke night to raise money and awareness for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).
ANAD, founded in 1979, is one of DPhiE’s two philanthropies and the sorority typically holds ANAD Week on the returning week from spring break.
According to ANAD’s website, the non-profit group offers free peer support to those struggling with eating disorders.
Junior Ashley Ferragamo, vice president of philanthropy, said each day of the week held its own theme to advance the message of ANAD.
The days’ themes were No Makeup Monday, Dump Your Insecurities Tuesday, What I Love About Myself Wednesday, Throwback Thursday and Fearless Friday.
“It’s just important to spread awareness for the foundation itself, we’re also raising donations for them but I want more people to come up to the table so we can [tell them], ‘This is what we do, this is what the foundation is,’ ” Ferragamo said.
Sophomore Kai Carreiro, a DPhiE member, said fundraising for ANAD is important to the group.
“We provide the money so they can build up the resources to help those who have eating disorders and help them get the help that they need,” Carreiro said.
Though Carreiro said fundraising is not the only goal of ANAD Week.
“Primarily it’s just about spreading awareness and helping people be their true selves and show their true authenticity,” she added.
Ferragamo said maintaining the tradition of holding ANAD week is important for the sorority, and the cause is personal to some in the group.
“I know some [of our] sisters do have eating disorders so that’s why we chose this foundation as it is, we also have different philanthropies but this is our focus for the spring semester,” Ferragamo said.
Overall, Ferragamo said the engagement has been positive.
“Every single day, everyone’s been excited to come back to our table, like ‘What are you guys doing today? What do you have for us today?’ ” she said.
Ferragamo said the group chooses to hold the week after the spring semester as a way to uplift students during a low point of the year for some.
“I know for me I have a hard time at the middle of the semester, I feel like your mindset is [foggy], so we try to pick a time where we can bring people back,” she explained.
In total, DPhiE raised $190 over the course of the week, with all proceeds going toward ANAD, according to an email sent by Ferragamo to The Equinox.
Nathan Hope can be contacted at
nhope@kscequinox.com
