It’s not everyday there’s a giant teeter-totter on campus.

On April 16, Alpha Xi Delta will be hosting its annual Teeter-Totter-a-Thon to raise money for Autism Speaks. President of the Eau Claire chapter of Alpha Xi Delta Sarah Nigro said, nationally, all Alpha Xi Delta sororities partner with Autism Speaks. Each sorority participates in a challenge to raise money for the cause.

“We’re the only one that does the Teeter-Totter-a-Thon,” Nigro said. “So we’re the ones who created this. Every year we have to get approval from our national fraternity to do the Teeter-Totter-a-Thon, because it is so different.”

The event is more than just a teeter-totter sitting in front of Davies for 24 hours. Since the goal is to raise money and build awareness for autism, there are many ways to help the cause. For $5, you can take a ride on the teeter-totter. The sorority is also selling puzzle piece-shaped cookies and taking donations the day of the event.

Programs Vice President Kaeleigh Wilson said the support of the community and of her fellow sisters is great for raising awareness about this event.

“I think a lot of people are intimidated by donating to a cause and they’re not sure what the repercussions are,” Wilson said. “We’re contacting businesses, and when people see your face or the name of the organization year after year … they’re more likely to donate.”

Planning for this event doesn’t happen overnight. Typically, planning starts in January. Business packets are made out to local businesses with information about sponsoring the event or donating to the cause. Members of the sorority go door to door in the community, asking for donations.

Alpha Xi Delta promotes the event heavily on campus as well, especially since the teeter-totter will be placed right in front of Davies. Every Wednesday, there was someone at a table in Davies promoting the event and raising awareness. April 2, all of Davies was lit in blue advertising the cause.

Public Relations Vice President Eleonor Thomas said at the end of the event, she and her sisters will release 68 balloons.

“We’re going to do 67 blue balloons and one white balloon to signify 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism,” Thomas said.

Nigro said the reason the Teeter-Totter-a-Thon has been so successful throughout the years is because it’s so familiar to businesses and they will support the cause. To learn more about autism, find the sorority at a table in Davies, or check out the event April 16-17.