Alpha Phi’s annual philanthropy event, Red Dress Gala, will take place at 6 p.m., Saturday in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom.

This formal evening consists of a sit-down dinner, silent auction, raffle, fashion show and entertainer. This year’s entertainer is Jimmy Graham, a hypnotist from Canada.

Lilly Pulitzer, a well-known fashion designer, and Brooks Brothers are sponsoring this year’s fashion show.

Tickets cost $30 for students and $60 for the public. Formal attire is required for this event, but the clothes do not have to be red.

“We like to say ‘Red dress is desired but never required,’” said Meagan Bond, sophomore fashion merchandising major and member of Alpha Phi. “Money from the ticket sales, as well as the silent action, a Zumba event and an online fundraising website, will be donated to the Alpha Phi Foundation, which raises money for women’s heart health.”

Bond and the rest of the Alpha Phi sisters hosted a Zumba fitness class called “Move Your Phi’t” at the Kent Student Center Ballroom Feb. 17 to help raise money for the Alpha Phi Foundation.

Bond was diagnosed with a heart problem at a young age. One of the main reasons she joined Alpha Phi is because the sorority funds research and raises awareness for women’s heart health.

“I’m proud to be a part of this organization because we are actually doing something,” Bond said. “Between 2010-2012, the Alpha Phi chapters all over the nation raised over $2 million for women’s heart health. That’s a big deal.”

Last year, the chapter raised $16,000. Bond said the chapter wants to raise $20,000 this year.

Contact Mackenzie Wallace at [email protected].