The ladies of the Alpha Psi chapter of Phi Mu are planning their eighth annual Phace-Off Dodgeball Tournament to raise funds towards their national philanthropic efforts to support the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH).
Scheduled to take place on Sunday, Nov.  11, the tournament will be held in the Pennington Student Activity Center, located next to the Southeastern Lab School.
Those interested in participating must gather a team of five to seven members in order to compete. The cost of registration is $15 and includes a T-shirt and pizza. The T-shirts for the event will list the names of sponsors who contribute a donation of $100 or more to for the cause. The tournament will also feature a disk jockey, games and a silent auction.
“This tournament is the chapter’s largest fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which is our national philanthropy,” explained Phi Mu president Lauren Gonzalez. “This is a fun way to help children raise money for the children and to make new friends.”
Since its founding in 1983, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.3 billion as of 2011 and continues to raise funds to support and contribute to the lives of ill children nationwide. Of the 170 hospitals across North America, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans is the only hospital in Louisiana that provides advanced medical treatment exclusively for children.
Although she has attended and participated in the event for the last five years, Gonzalez explained that the event resonated with her this year specifically.
“This year the tournament really touched my heart because my little cousin, Karley, was diagnosed with a brain tumor this past year,” Gonzalez continued. “She was treated at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans before being transferred to St. Jude’s.  I know the time and effort it takes to put on this event is worth it because it really helps the children in these hospitals.”
All proceeds from the tournament will be used to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  The chapter has been successful in increasing the amount of funds raised each year and hopes to raise $10,000 toward their philanthropy this year.  
To find out more about Phi Mu’s fundraising involvement for the CMNH or to register for the event, contact philanthropy chair Brooke Self at brooke.self@selu.edu. Additional information about the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and ways to contribute to the cause can be found online at www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.