Gamma Phi Beta’s annual “Sweet Home GphiB” is back again, with a twist. 

The event raises money for Girls on the Run, a nationwide non-profit organization that promotes women and encourages girls to become strong women.

The event, held for the past few years at Carolina Western Pub, was moved to the fairgrounds this year, said Cate Igoe, Gamma Phi’s philanthropy chair. The new, larger venue allowed the sorority to add new events. 

“We have line dancing, food, we have raffle tickets, so there’s a bunch of workout classes, like gift cards to places,” Gamma Phi public relations chair Cecelia Kreh said. “And then, we also have a petting zoo as well as, like, the potato sack races and horseshoes for people to play.”

Igoe said she wanted to be the philanthropy chair because of the impact that Girls on the Run made on her life when she was younger. 

“I think the most important part of Girls on the Run is the confidence that the young girls build through it,” Igoe said. “For me, the impact is so strong, and I wanted to find a way to get back to it.”

The Gamma Phi chapter also attends every event put on by Girls on the Run, helping the group raise money.

They attend the 5K races in the fall and spring and then a sporting event of some sort in the spring, Kreh said. 

Gamma Phi has raised more than $20,000 for Girls on the Run this fall alone.

The fairgrounds’ size also meant more people could attend the “Sweet Home GphiB” event. 

The event is also a great way for members to come together as a chapter, said Gamma Phi social chair Avery Welty.

“I think our motto is building strong girls, so I think (everyone) coming together and just lifting each other up through the dances, being here all together and matching and stuff, it just, like, brings awareness to what we stand for in college,” Welty said. “You know, it’s rough, and sticking together really helps.”

Gamma Phi Beta offered line dancing to allow big groups to dance in unison. Photo by Lauren Guest/Carolina Reporter