The competition for prizes may have been fierce at this past weekend's Greek events, but philanthropies were the real winners as students skied, twisted and generally "bowled over" charities with generosity.

Alpha Phi sorority women relaxed in the Skimont Lounge at Tussey Mountain yesterday afternoon. Their annual philanthropy, Ski for Heart, was coming to a close even though enthusiastic skiers still crowded the lifts and slopes.

Greeks competed in slalom races, obstacle course competitions and pledge runs to raise $20,000 for the American Heart Association, said Katie Hosterman, Ski for Heart chairwoman.

The event's proceeds came mostly from pledge runs made by Greeks and independents, in which skiers solicited pledges for each "run" down the mountain. Skiiers will collect the full amount from sponsors this week, said Assistant Chairwoman Gerri Volchko.

To supplement pledge runs, the sorority sponsored bar nights at the Surf Club, promoted a ski bunny competition, canned and sold raffle tickets in hopes of reaching its goal, Volchko said.

Those who chose not to slide down the snow-covered mountain either relaxed inside by the fire, listened to a local band known as The Clarks, or took advantage of the cash bar while eating pizza.

Hosterman said the sorority spent a year planning the event, which she described as a great success.

While skiers made their way down the slopes, members of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority held the Fifth Annual Greek Bowlers Classic at Armenara Lanes, 127 Sowers St.

A disc jockey rallied the fraternity and sorority teams to victory with dedications and musically accompanied the traditional sounds of a bowling alley.

Stephanie DeLomba (junior-accounting), philanthropy chairperson for Alpha Gamma Delta, said the sorority hopes to raise $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

In addition to the $30 entry fee for each of the 48 four-member teams, Alpha Gamma Delta members canned and sold raffle tickets to supplement donations, DeLomba said.

The highlight of the event was good planning - all teams showed up on time and events progressed smoothly, she said.

Amy Sue Mann (sophomore-broadcast cable) sat at a table by the door for part of the day, assigning fraternity and sorority members spirit points for attending the event.

A dinner for two at The Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave., was awarded to the organization which donated the most money at the door.

While traditional philanthropies were hosted this weekend, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, 508 Locust Lane, held its First Annual Twister Tournament on Saturday.

Fifteen dollars bought about 30 participants an afternoon of the children's game Twister. Protests to the referees about hands which strayed from the colored circles were reportedly a big part of the day's festivities.

Pam Lindstrom (senior-social work) said although the double elimination tournament was fun, some students were very serious about it.

"You'd never think that Twister was a competitive sport," she said.

Corrin Christianson (senior-health planning and administration) said the competition was held in the brother's room, better known as "the room everyone dances in at a party."

The goal for this event was to raise $1,600 for the March of Dimes, said John Barbour (sophomore-engineering). Most teams were members of fraternities or sororities and each participant received a T-shirt.

Downtown businesses helped the various philanthropies by donating most of the raffle prizes.