Panhellenic Pride Week 2004, a celebration of unity among the university's sororities, begins today.

"Twenty-one chapters, each individually unique ... but together makes Panhellenic complete," is the theme of this year's celebration, which is an annual event but has been canceled for the past few years, said Krista Eck, Panhellenic Council (PHC) president.

"People have just gotten really busy because Greek Week is usually the week after, so it hasn't taken place in a while," she said.

A candy fund-raiser, scheduled for today to benefit the Bellefonte YMCA, was canceled because the payment for the candy did not clear by the candy supplier's deadline. However, sorority members are still encouraged to wear their Pride Week shirts in recognition of the upcoming events.

"It would have been really great. Everyone would've seen that we help this community through many, many fund-raisers, but this one had to be canceled last-minute," said Jen Finelli, Panhellenic Pride Week organizer.

Tuesday features a "Sister Talent Contest" at 9 p.m. in HUB Alumni Hall.

"The event is open to everyone, but our main goal is for the chapters to get to know one another and about other chapters, so the skits will feature things that are important to each of them," Finelli said.

Wednesday's event is an afternoon flag football game with Penn State ACHA Div. I Icers, followed by an ice cream social sponsored by Ben and Jerry's.

Thursday features a concert at Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., with DJ Skrilla. "The concert will have songs about the sororities to boost morale and encourage us to work together," said Irene McKenna, PHC executive vice president.

Eck said the week is important for all sorority members, and she expects it to be a success.

"We want to send out a positive message to the community and build more camaraderie between the sororities. There are lots of activities for people to get involved, and I think we will have great participation from the sisters," Eck said.

McKenna said Pride Week was very important to this year's committee.

"One of our major goals as an executive committee was to build Panhellenic pride, because often the sisters don't get along, and we need to. Anyone who isn't in a sorority just sees us as all the same; if people are going to see us like that, then we should be united as greeks," she said.

Finelli added that the idea of the week is not just for the sororities, but for the whole community as well, Finelli said.