May 11, 2010
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IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa volleyball team partnered with Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Hy-Vee and the Johnson County Pork Producers to host the inaugural “Grilling with Gamma Phi, featuring the University of Iowa Women’s Volleyball Team” fundraiser at Hubbard Park May 2.
More than 200 people attended the event outside the Iowa Memorial Union to support Heart Connections, a program that provides the only summer camps in Iowa devoted exclusively to children with cancer. Each summer an average of 135 children from around the state of Iowa, as well as western Illinois, southern Minnesota, southeastern South Dakota, and eastern Nebraska attend camp. It is a week of typical camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, and field games.
Those who attended the fundraiser made an $8 donation upon entrance and were treated to pork patties hot off the grill provided by the Johnson County Pork Producers. Party-goers were also able to indulge in some fun-in-the-sun with the Iowa volleyball team. Grass volleyball courts were constructed as members of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority joined the Hawkeyes in hosting afternoon pick-up games.
“The people from Hy-Vee and the Johnson County Pork Producers were great to work with,” said Brianne Bakken, Public Relations Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta. “The food was awesome. This event is open to all who would like to attend and it’s for a great cause so we’re looking forward to bigger things next year.”
The groups would like to add live music and a hot dog eating contest to next spring’s festivities to complement a tremendously successful first-year event.
“For an inaugural event I thought the turnout was wonderful,” said Mallory Husz, a member of Iowa Volleyball’s Leadership Council who spearheaded the fundraiser with Bakken. “The event has a great cause behind it and we think it will continue to grow each year.”