Sororities join forces, play host to carnival for charity

IU's Alpha Kappa Alpha and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority houses cosponsored the third annual "Carnival for Charity" Wednesday evening, raising more than $200 for Homes for Black Children, an Indianapolis adoption agency for African-American children.\nThe carnival, held in McNutt's Flame room, drew about 100 people and included basketball, balloon animal-making, Twister, a cake and cookie walk, pie-in-the-face, fortune-telling, karaoke and a pinata.\n"The carnival was open to everyone," said senior Felecia Bell, Alpha Kappa Alpha's president, who worked with Homes for Black Children when she was younger. "We wanted to put on an event that everyone would have fun at, and we thought a carnival would be good, because it would bring out the kid in everyone. It was a pleasure to work with Zeta Tau Alpha; the carnival was a success due to the collective efforts of everyone."\nCarnival admittees paid a $2 entry fee which allowed them four tickets that could be used to participate in the carnival's various booths. Four additional tickets could be bought for a dollar. Winners were awarded fake money that could be "cashed in" for prizes, donated by local businesses, at the prize table.\n"This is an annual event, and all of its proceeds go to Homes for Black Children," said junior Katie Underwood, the carnival's coordinator. "No matter how much we raise, every little bit helps and whatever we can contribute to the community is worth the effort."\nThe evening's most popular event was the pie-in-the-face. Participants bought two tickets and were given two tries to throw a whipped-creme pie into the face of an Alpha Kappa Alpha member.\n"I'm actually having fun," said pie-encrusted senior Sherron Moore, one of the two girls working the booth. "I signed up to work this because I thought it would be the main event and fun. Plus, I don't mind, because it's for a good cause."\nPrevious to the carnival, Zeta Tau Alpha invited the Alpha Kappa Alpha women to their house. The two sororities got to know one another, chalked sidewalks and made posters advertising the carnival.\n"It was such a bonding experience for us to work with the AKAs on this great community service event," said junior MacKenzie Mayes, Zeta Tau Alpha's Pan-Hellenic representative. "We've made some lifelong friendships in the process, as well"