The audience was in for a night of high fashion, beautiful models, and excellent performers in Boston University’s Metcalf Ballroom. When the doors opened at 7 p.m., dozens of DGs dressed head to toe in black with the exception of a gold masquerade style mask greeted the immense crowd.
In order to incorporate their philanthropy into their event, Vice President of Foundation, Jenna Hamburger and Director of Foundation Events, Zahra Karimi decided on a masquerade theme, using the tagline “mask yourself for a night.”
“The main way that we wanted to make this PDG stand out was by letting everyone know what Service for Sight is and why it is so important to us,” Hamburger said. “We chose the theme in order to center the focus of the night around eyes and make the audience aware of how hard it would be if you were unable to see or had limited sight. We also tried to inform the audience by showing videos with information about the cause and how we contribute.”
Incorporated in 1951, Service for Sight was founded to raise money and awareness for the blind and visually impaired. The creation of Service for Sight made Delta Gamma the first sorority to begin its own foundation. Since the foundation’s incorporation, Delta Gamma has founded four schools for blind children and has raised more than $3.15 million for the cause. Last year, the Zeta Zeta chapter raised over $1500 for Service for Sight at Project Delta Glam 2011.
Various Greek organizations showed their support for Delta Gamma by purchasing tables and rows for their members. Project Delta Glam commanded a full house the night of the event, leaving no open seats in sight.
Delta Gamma invited members from BU’s student organizations to model in the show. Each model was assigned a particular brand or clothing store and modeled a casual and dressy look from each. Twenty-eight models from 15 different organizations participated.
A number of local Boston retailers including LF, Crush Boutique, Johnny Cupcakes, Habit, and a Delta Gamma sister’s own, Caster Collection showed their support for the cause by donating and lending clothes and accessories to the show.
Delta Gamma sisters Jane Merrifield and Selin Thomas represented their chapter on the runway in clothes from Newbury Street’s Crush Boutique. The models said they enjoyed their experience and were proud to support the cause.
“Project Delta Glam is an amazing fundraising event,” Thomas said. “All of the funds go directly to Service for Sight. Obviously it’s a great cause, but it’s also tons of fun.”
In 2007, Chelsea Alexander, a sister in the Zeta Zeta chapter started Project Delta Glam, leaving a legacy unique to Boston University's DGs that has since spread to chapters nationwide.
Delta Gamma seniors Dana Moore and Julie Jackson opened the show with a video by TOMS explaining the new eyewear one for one program, which with every eyewear purchase “gives sight to one in need.” Last year, Delta Gamma Executive Offices partnered with TOMS to raise awareness for Service for Sight and stimulate eyewear sales. Chapters across the country held trunk shows to encourage sales and further support their philanthropy.
In addition to the fashion show, Hamburger and Karimi arranged intermittent musical and dance performances.
DJ Luke Da Duke created the pace for the show, using popular music to liven the crowd throughout the event. Luke Da Duke performed at the Middle East in Cambridge a few nights prior to PDG.
BU a cappella group Terpsichore opened the show with a three-song set, featuring Delta Gamma sister Andrea Vijay as a soloist. BU Dheem, a classical Indian dance troupe, also featuring a Delta Gamma sister, Aisha Rawji performed next, bringing a unique cultural essence to the show. Finally, Cambridge rapper and BU student J. Lye excited the crowd with a short set. He was joined on stage by up and comer Ashley Sophia for a duet at the end of his performance.
The members of Delta Gamma were pleased with the turnout and procedures of the event. They stood on the edges of the ballroom cheering and dancing throughout the night.
“We were so happy with how it turned out and glad to say that this was yet another successful PDG,” Hamburger said.
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