Each THON™ year brings forth the opportunity for new stories, experiences, and traditions. This year, Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Theta (GammaTheta) are making history as becoming the first sorority-sorority pairing for THON! We talked to Gamma Phi Beta’s senior overall chairs Sofia DiMauro and Sophie Beck to highlight what this pairing has meant to them and their organization.
Q: Can you tell me a little about GammaTheta and its role in THON?
Sophie: “It’s the first sorority-sorority THON pairing which is super exciting. We are both committed to the fight against childhood cancer and supporting Four Diamonds families. We focus on fundraising, spreading awareness, and showing up to support our families year-round. Along with that, we strive to empower our members and instill the values that are at the core of our mission.”
Sofia: “GammaTheta is truly a unique THON pairing. We really want to empower our girls. We are looking for longevity of this pairing, and we are trying to keep our members supported and connected to the mission as well.”
Q: What has it meant for you and your chapter to be the first sorority-sorority pairing for THON?
Sofia: “It’s exciting to pave this new way for future pairings, and it really shows how strong this collaboration is. Our members have expressed to us how proud they are to be representing this huge milestone that has never been done. It means a lot to be a part of it. All the Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Theta chairs came together this summer and decided we wanted to do this, and it has been so meaningful.”
Sophie: “It’s been really empowering to have a huge group of women who are all connected to the same mission, to the same goal. It is so special to set an example for future organizations. While we are the first organization to do a sorority-sorority THON pairing, I don’t think we will be the last.”
Q: Have there been any fundraisers or events that GammaTheta has hosted or participated in this year?
Sofia: “We’ve done everything together as a pairing, which has been awesome! It is so amazing how it has strengthened our partnership. All of the fundraisers we’ve had just reminded us why we THON and why the mission of THON is so impactful.”
Sophie: “We did a dunk tank fundraiser alongside Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha, which was my personal favorite. We’ve done everything together and then we’ve also collaborated with other orgs which increases the impact. We’ve done permanent jewelry, and 48 by 48, which is when you run 48 miles in 48 hours. We’ve been doing things together and alongside other people, which just makes it even more special.”
Q: What has been your favorite memory or moment within your pairing so far?
Sofia: “My favorite memory is our 48 by 48 fundraiser. It’s a tough challenge and we had a bunch of girls from Gamma Phi Beta and Theta run the whole thing. Some of the midnight and 4am runs turned into some of the strongest bonding times for the girls. We were doing it together and kept reminding each other we were doing it For The Kids®. It was incredibly inspiring to see our members complete the full 48 miles. Each step of the way it reminded us why we do this.”
Sophie: “My personal favorite memory was with one of our families, the Dylan Zepp family. We went down to his hometown to watch his football game, and it was so much fun. That was the first time we got to meet him, and it was so awesome to get to do that as a newly paired org.”
Q: How do you think this partnership has enhanced the overall THON experience for your members?
Sofia: “This partnership has enhanced our THON experience and created a larger sense of unity and shared purpose. Having another sorority chapter alongside us has pushed our members to step out of their comfort zones and stay motivated throughout the year. It has also shown us how important female friendship and relationships are. What we are doing is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and adds to the magic of THON.”
Sophie: “We’ve been able to incorporate events, fundraisers, and merch that we are all interested in. We’ve had such great turn-outs this year in all our events and activities and consistently sent out forms asking what members want to see and do. We have been building something from the ground up and we want to make sure it’s the best experience possible for everyone.”
Q: What are you most excited about as you head into THON Weekend together?
Sophie: “Being selected as a dancer for GammaTheta, I’m most excited to be on the floor with all the girls celebrating everything that we’ve worked for all year. It’s such an honor to be able to dance,and it’s going to be incredible to see everything that we built from the ground up come to fruition. I’m excited to be there with my girls, our families, and to see everything that we’ve worked so hard for.”
Sofia: “This is something that I will never forget. I remember my freshman year, looking from the stands onto the floor, and seeing our dancers waving, cheering, and smiling. And now thinking that I will be one of them in a few weeks is spectacular. As a senior, it is going to be a great closing for my last THON, but I know this is only the beginning for GammaTheta!”
To ensure that THON is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, we heavily rely on donor support. These donations provide us the resources to create endless memories for our Four Diamonds families & foster a deep love & connection to our mission for our volunteers through Pre-THON Events, alternative fundraisers, & THON Weekend.
