In an effort to raise awareness toward breast cancer education and awareness, the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha hosted their fall philanthropy event, Forever Reminding Every Female About Healthy Living, Saturday, Oct. 13, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on ArtStreet.
FREEFAHL is a benefit concert with all proceeds going toward the Susan G. Komen Survivor Recognition program, scholarships, educational programming and leadership. According to ZTA’s philanthropy chair Krista Walker, FREEFAHL is held during the month of October coinciding with breast cancer awareness month.
“The combined efforts of ZTA’s previous FREEFAHL events have allowed our chapter to contribute over $9,000 to a philanthropy very near and dear to our hearts, breast cancer education and awareness,” said Walker. “We would love for [everyone] to be a part of it and witness firsthand our sisterhood and passion for philanthropy.”
Mike Droho and the Compass Rose headlined the concert at the ArtStreet Amphitheater, followed by Archer’s Paradox and OneSecond.
In addition to musical entertainment, the sisters also raffled off a free Dayton to Daytona trip ticket among other raffle baskets.
“The FREEFAHL chair is my roommate so I have nothing but complimentary things to say about the new plans she has for this year’s event,” said Natalie Kimmel, FREEFAHL marketing coordinator. “She is close to women who had breast cancer and they have lit a passion in her regarding breast cancer education and awareness.”
ZTA released balloons at the event in order to convey the message “hope floats.” The balloons were sold for $1 in memory of those who have been affected by the illness.
Other activities at FREEFAHL included a dunk tank, cotton candy machine and Bad Frog frozen yogurt for a reduced price.
The event also welcomed a Vineyard Vines representative who passed out free sunglasses and stickers. Studio Blue hairdressers also attended and temporarily dyed strands of attendees’ hair pink to support the cause.
ZTA also organized a “Think Pink” barbeque on Oct. 10 to help generate support for FREEFAHL. The barbeque was at the ZTA house and helped to raise money for FREEFAHL by selling “Think Pink” shirts.
“I feel as though ZTA has really utilized these various marketing efforts and gotten the work out about FREEFAHL,” Kimmel said. “I have seen many students walking around campus with FREEFAHL sweatshirts and people have come up to me talking about the event.”
A highlight of the event was breast cancer survivor Kristen Hailing speaking at FREEFAHL, followed by a commemorative ceremony both remembering those who have passed and celebrating all those who have survived.
“The sisters of ZTA are genuinely passionate about our philanthropy,” Kimmel said. “If nothing else, we urge everyone to come and support the cause.”
“Many people in the University of Dayton community know someone who has been affected by breast cancer,” Kimmel said. “Both myself and FREEFAHL chair Krista Walker have aunts with this horrible illness. We have put much hard work into FREEFAHL, and people will certainly not be disappointed upon walking through the giant pink balloon arch into our event.”
