On March 1, 2015, Iota Theta Chapter hosted their largest philanthropy event, “GI Theta Chi,” to benefit the United Service Organizations (USO). The USO is a non-profit organization that assists troops serving in combat, wounded warriors, veterans and their families. The event was held on the grounds of the Iota Theta Chapter house, and consisted of activities such as an obstacle course, jousting, tug-of-war, and a canoe race.
“Months of planning went into this event,” said event coordinator Ryan Whittington (2016). “We contacted multiple sponsors, had to make sure that everything was up to the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) rules and standards by filling out safety forms. Trophies had to be ordered as well as inflatables, and a dunk tank. We also had to get all of the materials for the day of the event such as balloons, eggs, hockey sticks, fake barbed wire and more,” he continued.
In the days prior to the event, UCF students were invited to participate in activities to help raise donations and earn points for their teams. The events included a 3-day Dunk Tank which raised $793; a “You’ve Been Drafted” event where participants 
came in military costumes and were able to take photos with military equipment and participate in a $1 raffle. Participants were also encouraged to bring care baskets for the injured veterans. Baskets were judged by attendees of the event. In addition, a partial proceeds event was held at the local Pie Five Pizza which raised $205.Outside of a little mishap with the tug-of-war rope, this year’s event ran smoothly.
“We lent the tug-of-war rope out to another sorority three days before our event so they can use it at their philanthropy and the rope broke,” said Whittington. “The only place we could find rope was Home Depot, and it wasn’t even an official tug of war rope. (It was a little bit thin and too short). That rope also broke at our event on the final round of tug-of-war! We ended up tying it back together and it all worked out,” he said.
More than 550 participants turned out for the March 1 event. Pi Beta Phi took home the first place trophy for the sixth year in a row, and Iota Theta raised $6,000 for the USO.
