Hillsdale College’s Chi Omega sorority hosted their annual fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Charity, known as “Chi O Coffeehouse” on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

“For it being a night crazy full of campus activities, we had an awesome turnout,” senior Dorothy Roland said. “I think that’s a real testament to the number of acts we got from all across campus. Everyone was so very supportive of their friends and then stayed for everyone else.”

Throughout the evening, 12 student music or comedy acts performed while their peers listened, chatted, ate donuts, and sipped coffee at the Chi Omega house.

“I was surprised by how cool the setting was,” Junior Elijah Pangrazio said. “The lighting and atmosphere were very homey.” 

Pangrazio said he and his friends had not heard of the event before and were not sure what to expect.

“I think ultimately we went because Danny Doyle was playing,” Pangrazio said. “And then we were like, ‘Oh, this is a cool event.’”

For the first time, this year’s Coffeehouse was the final event after a week of philanthropic events to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which junior Sophia Widmer ran as the sorority’s philanthropy chair. 

“I think that having Coffeehouse at the end of the week was a great way to build momentum for the event,” Widmer said. “Having new events throughout the week was a great way to shift the focus from just being about the one annual event we put on, to the philanthropy itself and focusing on why we raise money — ultimately it’s about supporting Make-A-Wish and providing the means to impact actual children that are struggling.”

Throughout the week, Chi Omega raised $1,719 towards Make-A-Wish, according to Widmer. 

“Sophia put in so much work and really pulled it off,” junior Kat Townley said. “[Coff/eehouse] is my favorite event of the year, and she killed it.” 

Roland said one of her favorite performances was freshman Ryan Conley, who sang Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, and then an original song. 

“The piece he wrote himself was awesome,” Roland said. “It was a soulful country artist sound, and he was phenomenal.”

Junior Elena Hedrick also sang at Chi O Coffeehouse.

“I had never performed live before or really performed at all,” Hedrick said. “It was a really welcoming environment to do it, and so I was really excited. It was on my college bucket list.”

Pangrazio said he would love to go back again next year. 

“I’m really a big fan of that sort of event — something very mellow and nice to do after a long week of school,” Pangrazio said. “We just sat down, listened to some live music, drank some coffee, and enjoyed the evening.”