This past weekend the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity successfully carried out its 5th annual “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament.” With an entire day of music, food and dodge ball, this year’s tournament spread the word about domestic violence while still having a good time.

“It’s a unique way to show our support for an under recognized cause,” said Rachel Wilson, the philanthropy chair for Alpha Chi Omega.

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For the past four years, Alpha Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha have had a dodge ball tournament to benefit awareness on domestic violence. Previously they have worked with Safe Harbor, and this year all money raised during the event will go to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika.

“The Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika is the only organization of its kind within a five-county service area,” said Wilson. “This is why we decided to donate the money to them this year.”

Wilson has known she wanted to be a part of the philanthropy event since she was a freshman, and now as a junior she has taken on the role of the philanthropy chair for Alpha Chi Omega.

“I’ve always helped out with the event, but this year I wanted to directly work with it,” said Wilson. “I started planning for it once I became philanthropy chair in November and it has been nonstop since then.”

Wilson also had the help of Adam Stovall, philanthropy chair for the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Wilson and Stovall worked together to get the event ready and to make it another successful year.

“Over the past years of doing this dodge ball tournament we have raised around $16,000,” said Wilson. “This year we’re hoping to add much more to that total.”

This year, the “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament” was held on Sunday, March 7, at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house from 1 to 4 p.m. The day included music from the band UnderGround Railroad, Chick-fil-a sandwiches for lunch and an appearance from Aubie.

Each team consisted of either five girls or five boys who competed all day in the dodge ball tournament. The winners from each bracket then went on to compete in the final match for first and second place.

“First place received a trophy and $100, and second place received a gift card to Kinnucans,” said Wilson. “We also raffled gift cards to Smoothie King throughout the day.”

Alpha Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha hope to continue the “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament” for years to come.

“As long as people keep coming out to have a good time and keep supporting the cause, we want to keep doing it,” said Wilson. “We want everyone to have fun, but also make people more aware of the domestic violence in women’s lives.”

The Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika is a not for profit agency that provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, and aims to eliminate violence in their lives. The organization is also funded by the United Way.

To learn more about domestic violence and what can be done to help prevent it, visit the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika Web site.