Sorority members are gearing up for a week of events and philanthropy to celebrate Panhellenic Pride Week 2005, "Great Women Go Greek," which begins today.

The Panhellenic Council (PHC) will be raising money for Housing Transitions Inc. (HTI), a local non-profit group that helps State College residents with housing problems.

Money will be raised to benefit needy families at a carnival starting at 2 p.m. Saturday on the HUB lawn.

Programming Vice President Nicole McKoin said each sorority would have a booth featuring a carnival-style game. Tickets for games will cost 25 cents and the money raised will go to HTI.

"Each chapter that participates is sponsoring a different booth and the group that raises the most money overall will be rewarded with having a percentage of their profits donated to their own sorority's national philanthropy," she said.

PHC is also sponsoring an educational speech at 8:30 tonight in HUB Alumni Hall titled "Great Women Go Greek," by three Penn State PHC chapter advisers who are still actively involved with their sororities.

Jane Neitz, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, said The Sisterhood Talent Show, which debuted last year, was such a hit they decided to hold it again. The talent show will start at 9 p.m. tomorrow in HUB Alumni Hall and will feature sororities singing, dancing or performing skits.

Other events of the week include collaborating with Undergraduate Student Government in the "We Are" campaign during Late Night Penn State and a sisterhood event on Thursday. At the event, sororities pair up to learn more about each other's chapters while decorating their suites.

PHC Executive Vice President Jen Finelli said a new event this year is Wednesday's faculty reception and desert social.

"We invited faculty who are involved within the greek community," she said. "We wanted to hold an event to recognize our appreciation for them and all their hard work and dedication."

The final event of the week will be Saturday's carnival, which will feature free Ben and Jerry's ice cream at 3 p.m.

Neitz said Penn State's Panhellenic Pride Week's history dates back to 1992.

"The Panhellenic Executive Board planned events for the chapters to participate in," she said. "It is not a national event; however, several other schools besides Penn State celebrate a similar week at some point in their academic year."

PHC President Colleen Briley said the events are not just for sorority members.