Members of Texas Tech Chi Omega sorority put together a week’s worth of events to work to grant one child’s wish.

A week full of fundraisers started Monday with Chi O Cravings.

“They have bought tickets and so all the money we raised from that goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So they come, they get their box they take pictures and listen to music and have fun. It’s a fun event,” said Lexie Lee, Wish Week Coordinator for Chi Omega.

Through ChiYoga, cycling, and give back nights, these events will raise thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Lee said, “I’m so privileged to be able to help the local kids. What’s really cool about this chapter is all the money we raise will go to the Lubbock kids so we’re actually helping the Lubbock community.”

It’s not just fundraising these young ladies help with. Many of them are also wish granters.

“Chi Omega is definitely the thing that introduced me into Make-A-Wish and the wish granting process. I’ve been a wish granter for two years now. I’m in the process of granting my third wish. So it’s definitely something that’s bigger than myself and it’s a way for me to give back to the local community,” said Gabrielle Ruffeno, President of Chi Omega.

Ruffeno and her wish partner were able to grant Jordan’s wish to meet the cast of Castle a few years ago and hosted a send-off party at the Chi Omega lodge. It’s something that really opened her eyes into the power of a wish.

“So all of her friends and family got to come and that relationship is something that we continue to build. We are interactive on Facebook, we’ve gone to a lot of her other fundraising events to pay for medical bills. So it’s an ongoing relationship that I’ve had. It’s been super super rewarding and keeps me going back to help out other kids in the same situation,” said Ruffeno.

Raising money and volunteering is what this week is all about.

Ruffeno said, “The purpose is to bring in the community, whether that be Tech students, parents, family, friends in the local community. We’re raising money but we also want to raise awareness with what it takes to grant a wish. I mean it takes a lot of volunteers and a lot of hands but it does take funds.”

Lee went on to say, “I think that’s really powerful in itself. So I think it’s nice to see our money actually grant the kid’s wishes in Lubbock and I think that’s really awesome.” 

Wish Week Schedule:

  • Wednesday, April 26th: ChiYoga on the lawn at the Chi Omega house. It costs $2 and starts at 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 27th: Giveback day at Urban Brick Pizza 7610 Milwaukee Ave #300, Lubbock, TX 79424
  • Friday, April 28th: Giveback day at Capital Pizza at 2705 26th St., Lubbock, TX 79410
  • Saturday, April 29th: Dodge ball tournament

If you would like to get involved in Wish Week CLICK HERE.