Alpha Phi to host Rockin' Red Dress Poker Tournament

Event proceeds go toward heart disease prevention and education.

By Jessi Turnure

Published Feb. 26, 2010

The women of Alpha Phi will host their sixth annual Rockin' Red Dress Poker Tournament and Silent Auction at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Stoney Creek Inn. All proceeds go toward the research and prevention of heart disease.

"Unfortunately, I think most everyone in our chapter knows someone who has been affected by this disease," Alpha Phi Director of Philanthropy Lindsey Hicks said. "The statistics say that one in three women will die of heart disease. That's a pretty scary number."

The Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi has funded women's cardiac research and care since 1946, Hicks said. Alpha Phi chapters across the country have donated more than $1 million to the Alpha Phi Foundation, which in turn, gives all proceeds to heart disease education and research.

"I did not know much about heart disease before working on this philanthropy," Assistant Director of Philanthropy Emily Grimm said. "When I learned about the statistics of heart disease I was shocked. I never knew how many people around me were affected by it."

Grimm said the money they raise would go toward hospitals in need of supplies for their heart patients.

"Working alongside my sisters and learning about the cause made me realize that I can help those affected and make a difference in their lives," Grimm said. "I am very fortunate to be able to participate in such a worthy cause."

Alpha Phi has been planning the Rockin' Red Dress event since August and this year hopes to raise $30,000 in total donations.

"We are really trying hard to reach this, but it is a very ambitious goal, especially in this economy," Hicks said. "It is such a prominent disease in so many women's lives. I just hope to raise as much as possible for a good cause."

Alpha Phi welcomes the entire community to participate and expects a great turnout as in previous years. This year, 16 fraternities and more than 120 other people, including friends, family and community members, registered.

"Every year heart disease claims nearly 460,000 women's lives," Grimm said. "Being a young woman, it scares me to think the amount of women 35 and under affected by heart disease goes up each year. I think it is important to spread awareness so that it stops claiming lives."

Fraternities serenaded Alpha Phi on Feb. 23 and 24, where they sang songs and acted out humorous skits.

"They all seem to be really excited and enthusiastic about the tournament, and we couldn't be happier to have all of them participate," Philanthropy Fraternal Relations Melody Walters said in an e-mail. "Serenades so far have demonstrated to us that these guys really do care for the women in our house and our cause. It sets the tone for the philanthropy event and gets everyone pumped up to have a good time on Friday."

Hicks said the serenades are a part of the scoring process in the competition between fraternities to "win" the philanthropy and are also a great way to build relationships with other Greek Life members.

"Fraternities love to participate," Hicks said. "What guy doesn't love poker?"

The women of Alpha Phi have raised more than $30,000 in the last several years and receive not only money from the tournament's participants but also through donations from the community.

"It feels great to give back, knowing that somewhere, someway, you might have just saved someone's life," Alpha Phi member Joanie Stream said. "It's been an all around great experience and the number of people involved this year has been awesome. It's amazing to see that Mizzou's campus cares for others that are less fortunate."