University sorority Alpha Chi Omega hosted an event on Thursday night at the Perry Field House on campus to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The event, “Dodge Domestic Violence,” consisted of a dodge ball tournament and was part of the sorority’s philanthropy work.

Paige Gmyrek is the vice president of philanthropy within the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was in charge of planning the event; namely setting the date and location.

The sorority got the idea of a dodge ball tournament after hearing of other chapters successfully hosting similar events across the country.

Gmyrek said events like these are an important aspect of sorority life for a variety of reasons.

“It helps you learn for the future how you can better impact your community,” Gmyrek said.

Registration to participate in the dodge ball games cost $30 per team or $35 at the door. While 21 teams were signed up to play, the final number was 12. This change in number may be caused by the fact that some people signed up as two teams and later changed to one.

Players included members of sororities and fraternities from the University along with members of the rugby and track teams. Toledo University’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity also joined in the games.

All proceeds from the event go to The Cocoon Shelter, a safe place for those affected by domestic violence, located in Bowling Green.

Alpha Chi Omega member Sam McQueen said the sorority hosts at least two events each year at which funds are raised and donated to The Cocoon Shelter.

“I think this event is important because it’s getting the word out about domestic violence,” McQueen said. “It’s getting people involved.”

Sorority member Sydney Shields said that the issue of domestic violence is very important to her, as members of her family have been affected firsthand.

“A lot of people don’t know how important [awareness] is,” Shields said. “[Domestic violence] is a silent crime.”

Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy work has a sole focus of domestic violence and their work concentrates on raising awareness as well as money that can directly help those affected.

“All of us together can definitely make a big difference,” Gmyrek said.