Members of the Cornell Greek system along with other groups in the Cornell community spent last Saturday afternoon in the sunny weather at the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority’s 21st annual Tip-A-Canoe fundraising event.
The event, which consisted of about 50 teams of four participants each racing the entire length of Beebe Lake, awarded prizes to the fastest team and additional humorous mentions, such as the team with the “best capsize.”
According to Carolyn Deckinger ’02, one of two event organizers, the sorority raised over $1,000 for the Law Guardian Office, a local branch of the national Court Appointed Special Advocates, which helps to find foster homes for underprivileged children in the Ithaca area.
Court Appointed Special Advocates is the Kappa Alpha Theta national sorority’s charity to which they traditionally donate.
The sorority will also donate some of the funds to the relief efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C.
At the event, the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta felt strongly that the funds largely support a local charity.
“Every fraternity and sorority has a national fund and fortunately ours has a local branch, which will make our efforts have a local effect and a more personal connection,” Deckinger said.
Several members mentioned that they value this personal connection to the children aided by the Law Guardian Office.
“It is nice to see the direct benefits of our work. We have met a few of the kids and some of us have even baby-sat for them,” said Cathy Jordan ’03, the second event organizer.
The organizers attributed the record participation to the warm weather, reputation from previous years and advertising within the Greek system. According to Deckinger, the sorority has also been trying to branch out to other campus organizations.
This year, the non-Greek competitors included the male a-cappella group, The Hangovers, and a group of female students calling themselves “Alpha Phalpha.”
“Its really just a fun way to raise money for charity,” Jordan said.
The Cornell Outing Club helped raise the record amount of funds by donating the canoes used in the race.
Deckinger said that she is proud of the event’s evolution. “I am proud to be part of a group that is most recognized for philanthropy, rather than social events. We really work hard on planning it each year, since we are the only house sponsoring it. During rush, we really push Tip-A-Canoe,” she said.
The event was sponsored by many Ithaca businesses, including the Ithaca Bakery, House of Shalimar, Subway, Cameras and Things, Sam Goody, Copy Express, Hollywood Nails, Juna’s Cafe, Jaberwock, and Conkies.
“It is nice to see the fraternities and sororities come together with other organizations to have fun and raise money for a cause that we all support,” said Brian Kuroba ’04, a member of the Acacia fraternity.
Archived article by Seth Harris