By: Celeste Graham

The members of Tri Delta take a break from their busy day to pose for a picture.

Reno,NV

Tri Delta sorority’s annual Frats at Bat event took place on Sunday April 17,2011 at the Reno Sports Complex.

The event has been around for at least 10 years and all Tri Delta chapters participate. The purpose of the event is to help raise money for the St. Jude’s hospital.  The event was free and includes free food and beverages for all participants.

St. Jude Hospital was opened in 1962 by Danny Thomas. The mission of St. Jude is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude patients are able to stay in the facility and receive treatment mainly free of charge because of charitable donations they receive. Alex Hill Tri Delta President feels that this event is great for the girls to participate in.

Listen to interviews from participants and spectators:

“This event raises money and awareness for St. Jude hospital and gives the sorority girls more passion about the foundation.” Hill continued saying, “Hands on participation gives the girls advanced interest in helping others in need.”

The members of Tri Delta wore t-shirts with the slogan “Striking out Childhood Cancer” as a way of affirming what the purpose of the event is for. Although the event was free to attend participants had to pay an entry fee. Most of the participants were Greeks however, those who weren’t had to pay a fee.

“All non-Greek teams were required to pay a $100 entry fee. However, each Greek sorority and fraternity participant were required to write 100 “Sincerely Yours” letters as their entry fee.” said Danielle Hyne, VP of Tri Delta.

The “Sincerely Yours” letters were sent to local businesses, family, and friends. The letters solicit funds for the St. Jude foundation. Over twenty teams participated in the event. Non Greek participant and spectator Jasmine Lester is proud to be a part of Frats at Bat.

“My softball coach told me about Frats at Bat and I just had to come out because it’s for a good cause.” said Lester.

Tri Delta has been helping the St. Jude foundation for decades. Every sorority has a specific organization that they adopt and support which is known as their philanthrophy. Tri Deltas philantrophy is to help St. Jude. Throughout this year alone the Nevada chapter has raised over $19,000 for the foundation.

The event was well attended. However, actual members and representatives from St. Judes were not in attendance. The hospital is located in Memphis, TN which makes it difficult for actual representatives to be present at the events. Tri Delta members do get to meet some of the representatives throughout the year.

“We have different events during the year where St.Jude members come and check on our progress what were doing but they don’t actually come out to the event.” said Lauran Evans.

Overall, the event was a great way for sororities and fraternities to show their support for this foundation as well as their support for fellow Greeks. All of the money raised from Frats at Bat will go directly to the St. Jude hospital.