Pouring rain, emergency ponchos and umbrellas did not stop SF State sorority Alpha Phi from attempting to raise money for the Alpha Phi Foundation for Cardiac Care and Research.

Wearing tight T-shirts, the sorority held Teeter-totter-a-thon Fall 2004, on the lawn of Malcolm X Plaza. The event included all 63 girls in the SF State chapter taking turns on the totter from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., a bake sale and a barbecue.

Despite the terrible weather, the Alpha Phi’s were focused on making their goal of $2,000. "Rain or shine, we are here all the time," said Alpha Phi sister 20-year-old Haley Chaplin. Fellow sister, 20-year old Shannon Boyd, said, " It’s like being a kid again."

Hot dogs, soda, chips and a variety of baked goods were on sale throughout the day while the sorority sisters riding the teeter-totter tried to encourage students to support there cause and participate in the barbecue for $2. In addition to the students, all 63 girls sent out letters to friends, family, and business organizations for donations. They expect to receive the funds by weeks end.

The resourceful girls of Alpha Phi had the T-shirts for the event made by sorority sister Caitlin James father and the teeter-totter made by sister Erin Garvey's boyfriend.

"The fun part is after the event we get to keep the teeter-totter," said Garvey.

Along with the 144 national Alpha Phi chapters, SF State’s Alpha’s support philanthropic causes.

"Each semester we raise money and we have a goal as a chapter to raise $4000 a year. Every girl is riding it (the teeter-totter)," said Director of Philanthropy for SF State Alpha Phi, 19-year old Brittany Ruinger.

In 1872 the 10 founders of Alpha Phi decided to focus their volunteer time on Cardiac Research and Care, because of their symbol, a heart. Although Cardiac issues are their main focus, each chapter in Alpha Phi has other issues to address. SF State's Alpha Phi's also work on raising money for grants and for girls who need help financially.

While SF State Alpha Phi's are ambitious in their attempts to raise money for the foundation, Santa Clara University earned $30,000 last year for the cause. Alpha Phi is the number two sorority nationally that donates money to philanthropic organizations.

But SF State Alpha Phi's are no slackers.

"It was worth staying out in the rain, because now the sun is shining and we can start the barbecue and raise some money", said sister Jen Conforti.

All proceeds from today’s event will be sent to Northwestern University in Chicago, the Alpha Phi headquarters, to be dispersed.