The recently recharted Zeta Rho opted out of a formal this year and chose to have its first Red Thread Gala this weekend as a fundraising opportunity.
The charity event took place at the Abilene Country Club Friday evening and featured a catered dinner and silent auction. The night included words from Red Thread co-founder, Samantha Sutherland, who spoke to guests about the organization and Zeta Rho’s history and service. All proceeds from ticket sales and auction items went directly to the Red Thread Movement.
Before the event, Zeta Rho President, Shannon Rose, a senior biology major from Abilene, said preparations for the Gala had already met Zeta Rho’s goal of furthering the Red Thread Movement cause.
“The Gala has already accomplished much of what I had hoped for. We have been able to share the vision of the Red Thread Movement with local Abilene businesses and individuals in the community who did not know about it previously,” Rose said. “The women of Zeta Rho have worked so hard in finding sponsors and planning this event that it has brought them together in ways only planning an event like this can. Most of all, we are wanting to raise awareness of Red Thread in the Abilene Community versus solely the ACU community.”
The Red Thread Gala illustrated Zeta Rho’s stated mission of service, the purpose behind their decision to host a formal for charity. Vice President Shawna McDanel, senior graphic design major from Early, said the event was in the works even before Zeta Rho became an official social club.
“While we were still in the planning process of re-chartering Zeta Rho, the idea of formal came up. We collectively opted to have a fundraising banquet for a worthy cause in lieu of a formal. At the beginning of this semester we decided to invest in a cause that we could really stand behind- so our focus has been on the Red Thread Movement,” said McDanel.
Because of venue constraints, tickets to The Red Thread Gala were only available to Zeta Rho alumni and members, but club members hope to make this an annual event on a larger scale and open to all of the Abilene community.
Throughout the year, Zeta Rho has been closely tied to Red Thread Movement, with ongoing volunteering and promotion of campus and community awareness.
“During our pledging period, we had Service Saturdays. These Saturdays were set aside for service projects to assist Red Thread in whatever way we could. We wrote cards to Samantha Sutherland and Brittany Partridge [founders of the Red Thread movement] and helped package bracelets,” said Tara Lowe, sophomore elementary education major from Springtown.
Lowe said since the Red Thread Gala project is finished Zeta Rho’s focus on preparations for the fall semester.
“After the Gala is over, we are in full swing for Spring Rushes. We are very excited for the upcoming pledging season,” Lowe said. “Our new officers are already preparing themselves for next semester, and are busy praying for God’s direction for the club.”
