Watermelons took over LaFollette Field during one of the oldest greek philanthropies on Ball State's campus.
The 43rd annual Watermelon Bust brought about 700 people from the greek community to the philanthropy on Sept. 26 to raise money for the American Red Cross and A Better Way, said Delta Tau Delta President Kyle Carson.
“My sorority stands for victims of domestic violence," said senior Katlynn Dauterman, Alpha Chi Omega president. "It’s kinda cool to see how the money impacts the women here locally. They’re very thankful for us because we’re one of their biggest contributors."
Delta Tau Delta and Alpha Chi Omega have been planning for the philanthropy since April. Watermelon Bust is a series of games, like a slip and slide and watermelon toss, in which teams participate.
Dauterman said the watermelons are donated by a man from Michigan, and members travel an eight-hour round trip drive to pick them up.
Watching all the people having fun with watermelons and seeing the craziness of the event is Dauterman's favorite part of the event, she said.
Each of the 156 members of Alpha Chi Omega had a role on event day. Freshman telecommunications and theatre major Kelsey Price was in charge of leading a team to each game station.
“Because I’m a new member and had never experienced Watermelon Bust before, it was definitely a little bit scary at first," Price said. "It was a lot of fun, though. In all, it was so incredible to see everyone come out and bust watermelons for A Better Way and the American Red Cross."
Meg Lambert, a sophomore athletic training major and member of Alpha Omicron Pi, said it was a great way to raise a lot of money while also having fun with Ball State’s greek community.
“We’re all so close and come together for a great cause," Lambert said. "Everyone wants to come and hang out with their greek family. Last year, as a freshman, I didn’t realize how big of a deal this was, but now I do."
Carson said his favorite thing about the event is handing the check to the people the philanthropy was for.
“We do it because we want to give back to the community in which we take so much of," Carson said. "We consume a lot of Muncie resources, and we feel like this is a great way to give back to those resources in a fun and interactive way."
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