Free Pancakes at Xi Hop!

Alpha Xi Delta charity event

Matt Marando

I bet everyone was pumped last week when iHop announced its Free Pancake Day on March 1st, but how about the free pancakes at C.W. Post that same night? What a coincidence?! At 9 pm, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority held their very own “Xi Hop” charity event to benefit Autism Speaks. “We didn’t even realize it was free pancake day, so our gimmick should be that people shouldn’t drive all the way to Ihop, Just walk to Hillwood!” said Gina Fernandez, a sophomore Public Relations major and Vice President of Programs for Alpha Xi Delta.

In 2009, the sisters of Alpha Xi Delta adopted Autism Speaks as their National Philanthropy. Autism Speaks is an organization that researches cures and treatments for Autism, as well as raise public awareness of Autism, and its effects on those who have it, their families, and on society. The event was advertised in Newsday as well as in an article on the Autism Speaks website. “Xi Hop was an awesome event because it was an opportunity to get more of the campus involved with Greek Life while raising money for a great cause,” said Alexa Lacagnina, a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

Held in the East-West Café of Hillwood, the room was all decorated in balloons. About 100 people, including the Provost, came to attend a night of free pancakes and juice donated from Aramark. Pancakes weren’t the only thing on the menu that night; there were around 25 different raffles giving away prizes from Barnes and Nobles gift cards, Xbox games, lotions, hair care products, shower items, to Ace Hardware gift cards. All prizes were donated, and over $1,000 was raised. All proceeds will go to Autism Speaks. “I think the turnout was great. We were thrilled to have so much donated, and we thank everyone who came to support us,” said Michelle Achilli, a junior health care administration major, also Vice President of Chapter Life. To learn more about Autism Speaks, and to join the fight, log onto www.autismspeaks.org.