Philanthropy Spotlights

Alpha Chi Omega: Domestic Violence Awareness

This year has been a big year for Alpha Chi Omega as we focus our efforts on domestic violence awareness! In February we hosted our annual philanthropy event, Volley Against Domestic Violence. “Hosting Volley Against Domestic Violence gives us (Delta Rho) the ability to serve our community in three ways: by raising funds for Peace at Home Family Shelter, by reaching out to volleyball participants and starting conversations of what a healthy relationship looks like, and by allowing us to create a place where fraternities and sororities can grow in their own relationships with one another through sport”, said Lexi Robertson, Vice President of Philanthropy for Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Rho chapter. 

Domestic violence awareness is a cause that we as a chapter are passionate about, some of us because of past or present experiences, but together because we are college students and we see domestic violence happening around us every day. Our efforts were recognized through the Youth in Philanthropy award on National Philanthropy Day in 2018 and we appreciate knowing that the work that we are doing is creating an impact on our community. Sophomore, Briana Macalady, said it best, “supporting domestic violence awareness means helping people find the light in dark times, supporting everyone, and encouraging others to be unafraid to speak out.” Through our involvement at local women’s shelters, our fundraising, and other efforts we are proud to be fighting against domestic violence. We are confident that our chapter’s efforts this year are not only opening conversation on our campus, but creating a future without domestic violence!

Alpha Delta Pi: Ronald McDonald House Charities

Alpha Delta Pi’s philanthropy is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, a home away from home for families with sick children. Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Delta, has played a pivotal role in the development of philanthropic involvement in ADPi nationally. Arkansas ADPi was the chapter that chose our national philanthropic partner, RMHC.

            There is a RMHC in Fayetteville and members have the opportunity to go and prepare a meal for families. “This year we were able to send every single freshman to RMHC to serve a meal, and were able to donate 1,000 items of toiletries and snacks to the RMHC in Fayetteville and Rogers,” Maddie Lavalle, philanthropy chair, said.

ADPi is blessed to have a local RMHC so close to campus, this allows members to easily go and provide service to the organization whenever they need something. Freshman Aubrey Vansel says, “It is such a neat experience to be able to serve families by making a meal for them. While serving at RMHC I was able to grow closer to my sisters, as well as give back to my community.”

Our largest event we host is Pi Day, on March 14 (3.14).  We sell pies in our front yard and have a “pie your president” opportunity. Members of other chapters are invited to come and pie their president in the face and the proceeds go to RMHC. This is our largest and most anticipated event. It is a great opportunity to support RMHC and involve our community.

Serving others is a large part of being an Alpha Delta Pi, and we strive to incorporate philanthropy into our daily lives. “Serving others is important because it enables us to help other groups of people who we may not encounter on an everyday basis,” Amanda Magusiak, chapter member, said. Alpha Delta Pi strives to continue to make an impact in RMHC, and in our community.

Alpha Omicron Pi: Arthritis Research & Mental Health Awareness

This semester, Alpha Omicron Pi has hosted two of our big philanthropy events. Our national philanthropy is Arthritis Research and we adopted Mental Health Awareness after losing our sister in 2016.

On March 2^nd, we hosted the second annual Lane Marrs Memorial 5K. This is to honor and remember our sister, Lane. The 5K raises money for CAPS in the Pat Walker Health Center, here on campus.

On March 31^st, we hosted our annual Strikeout Arthritis baseball/kickball tournament. All the money that was raised is to benefit Arthritis Research. This doubled as a spirit event! We loved to see all of the different chapters out on the field to help support us and our philanthropy! Shout out to the winners: Sigma Nu and Kappa Delta!!!

To me, supporting our philanthropies means the world to me. I fell in love with AOII during Philanthropy round of recruitment. I could see how much every single girl loved and supported both of our philanthropies. I am in love with how we adopted another philanthropy after losing our sister. It shows how strong this sisterhood really is. Mental health is something that I think a lot of people on a college campus can relate to, so it’s pretty awesome to see that we are doing something that can benefit everyone on campus. I love that our sisterhood is able to team up with CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) and see the difference that we are making, first hand. I talked to Alexis Christopher from PC ’17 and she says, “To me, supporting our philanthropy is more than just donating money or working at a food bank. Supporting a philanthropy is about selflessness and doing what’s right, not because you have to, but because you should.”

Chi Omega: Make-A-Wish

It’s the heartbeat of our chapter and the common thread that Chi Omega’s around the world share:  Make a Wish! And what a year it’s been for Chi Omega Psi and our philanthropy. Our philanthropy events are filled with big smiles, both on the faces of the children involved with Make a Wish and our members.

          Our biggest event of the year occurs on November 11…or 11/11. (Remember when we used to “make a wish” when the clock struck 11:11 as kids?) On this day we strive to raise $30,000 for Make a Wish. We participate in a letter campaign and host a dinner event at The Nest (AKA our sorority house!) complete with good food and friends. Everyone is welcome to join, and all proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Make a Wish. We host a similar fundraiser in the spring, except this time it lasts ALL WEEK! During “Wish Week” we host percentage nights at local restaurants and sell donuts at the Union. This year we hosted a “drive through” hamburger dinner at our house. Between these two events, we raise enough money to help grant some wishes! 

            “Wish Grants” are easily one of the best parts of being a Chi O member. Granting a wish means we get to send a child facing a life threatening illness and their family on an all expenses paid trip of their choosing. A Wish Grant not only provides hope and joy to a child and their family, but it has been proven to benefit the child’s health and encourage strength during treatment. “…Make a Wish is so much more to me than just a sorority event. It impacts the children as well as the members of our chapter, and it really encourages hope in everyone that attends a Wish Grant,” said Lauren Edwards, a sophomore member of our chapter. Make a Wish is more than raising money or awareness…it is truly changing lives.

Delta Delta Delta: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

“St. Jude is the heartbeat of Tri Delta”- Katie Gardner, Delta Delta Delta director of philanthropy. Each member of Delta Delta Delta has a heart that beats for the children of St. Jude. Since its founding in 1962, St. Jude has increased the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80%. Families that visit the hospital never pay a dime for the treatment and if needed are provided a home away from home at Tri Delta Place.

This February many members were honored to travel to St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee and receive a tour of the hospital. For me, there was no prouder moment or time of greater motivation than to see the improvements to the hospital or hear the lifesaving stories made possible because of the impact Tri Delta has made, and continues to make, at St. Jude. Upon returning home, every Tri Delta wrote letters to family and friends as a part of the Sincerely Yours Letter Writing Campaign. Nationally, Sincerely Yours is the largest fundraising event Delta Delta Delta hosts for St. Jude Research hospital.

To celebrate and fundraise for St. Jude in the best way Tri Delta knows how, we hosted DHOP! The unlimited pancakes were a hit and 1,500 people attended. This year’s DHOP theme was “D-Hopping Around the Clock.”

Our goal for 2019 is to raise 150,000 dollars for St. Jude. So far we have raised 60,000 dollars, and it is only April! Delta Iota was honored to receive the Top Chapter for Philanthropy Excellence award at the Delta Delta Delta Collegiate Leadership Conference last month.

I believe no one can conclude for me better than Delta Iota’s own Keragan Casey, “St. Jude isn’t just a hospital, it’s a home. Not everyone gets the chance to have a one on one connection with the hospital. I fortunately got the chance to spend eight months of my life there. Having St. Jude as our philanthropy not only means I get to give back to the sick kids fighting for their lives, but I also get to give back to the place that gave me hope when no one else did.”

Delta Gamma: Service for Sight

Delta Gamma’s philanthropy is Service for Sight.  On a national level, we support S4S through our 5 schools for the blind, giving back to our military through Joining Forces, and assisting senior citizens in health care facilities through the Golden Anchor Program.  Within the Fayetteville community, we work with various organizations that promote sight conservation such as the Burlsworth Foundation and the Lion’s Club.  This semester we have volunteered with Providence elderly home, worked with the Lion’s club collecting and sorting glasses for donation, and writing thank you letters to our veterans.  We also hold fundraising events for our foundation which gives back to our philanthropy and to our members through grants and scholarships.

This spring, we held our annual philanthropy event, Anchor Splash, where we raised over $14,000 for our foundation!  During Anchor Splash, teams from Greek Life organizations compete in a variety of events to take home the #1 spot and a donation to their philanthropy from Delta Gamma.  Our theme was the Olympic games which included events ranging from Olympic style relays and synchronized swimming, fun events like biggest splash and pull the coach, to (everyone’s favorite) the Junior Miss Delta Gamma and Mr. Anchorman catwalks. Freshman Sydney Etzel said, “Seeing all of the fraternities and sororities compete in various swimming events was so fun and entertaining; having all the support and enthusiasm from other Greek life organizations was heart-warming.  There is nothing more rewarding than bringing people together and raising money for a good cause.”  Sydney, and the rest of our chapter, are looking forward to Anchor Splash next year and all the fun memories it will bring!

Kappa Delta: Girl Scouts and Prevent Child Abuse America

Go confidently! Embrace your uniqueness! Live courageously! In 2009, Kappa Delta founded the Confidence Coalition, a movement that motivates young women and girls to build confidence in themselves and one another. The Kappa Delta Zeta Gamma chapter takes our slogan “go confidently” seriously by applying it to the philanthropies we annually and diligently support.

            On a national level, Kappa Delta supports the Girl Scouts of America and Prevent Child Abuse America. Our efforts within our philanthropies aim to boost the confidence of the young women within the Girl Scouts and children whose confidence has been diminished by abuse. On a local level, Kappa Delta Zeta Gamma delves further into our philanthropic alignments through one-on-one Girl Scout mentorship and the aid of the Children’s Safety Center in Springdale, Arkansas.

            Patricia Scriber, a member of Kappa Delta Zeta Gamma, explained that she sees her Girl Scout mentee three to four times a month. Their friendship has turned into a sisterhood. When they hang out Patricia aims to “encourage and build confidence in her”. She teaches her mentee “how to be independent…share with others….and do what she believes no matter what others may think of her”. Furthermore, Kappa Delta hosts monthly Girl Scout events! The events include college preparatory events, scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, and dancing classes.

            Kappa Delta also hosts fundraising events for Prevent Child Abuse America and the Children’s Safety Center each semester! Most recently, Kappa Delta Zeta Gamma hosted our annual “Shamrock” dinner. This year’s theme was “ShamRock ’n Roll”. The event included live music, food, rocking decorations, and a care package building station for the Child Safety Center! Our VP of Community Service, Claire Vance, reported the event’s brilliant results: $27,150 raised and 200 assembled care packages!

            The Zeta Gamma chapter finds its joy through the love UofA’s student body shows to our philanthropies, the visible confidence in the young Girl Scouts we are blessed to spend time with, and the support of the CSC doing great things in NW Arkansas!

Kappa Kappa Gamma: Reading is Fundamental

Kappa Kappa Gamma is a chapter full of empowering women who are highly involved on campus and throughout our community. Philanthropy serves as a major part in our chapter and we cherish the opportunity to support, encourage and impact so many lives. We strive to constantly serve others and make an impact in this community and all across the nation. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s philanthropy is Reading is Fundamental which is a non-profit organization that helps underserved children discover the joy of reading and books. Reading is Fundamental ensures that reading turns into a journey of opportunity for all children. As the nation’s largest children’s literacy non-profit, Reading Is Fundamental maximizes every contribution to ensure all children have the ability to read and succeed. Throughout each school year Kappa Kappa Gamma, here at the University of Arkansas, hosts several events in support of Reading is Fundamental, such as Books, Blues, and BBQ, Coffee for Books, and Kappa Key’s Dip. Books, Blues, and BBQ is one of our most popular events where each member invites friends, family, fellow students, or anyone who wants to come and support our philanthropy. At this event, each guest has the option of paying $5.00 or bring a children’s book + $3.00 to eat BBQ at the Kappa House. It is such a fun night for everyone to socialize and come together in support of children’s literacy. 

A very important week for Kappa Kappa Gamma’s philanthropy at the University of Arkansas is Reading is Key Week. Reading is Key Week is so uplifting and fun for our members because we get to celebrate our philanthropy for an entire week, as we raise money to help kids learn how to read, along with having access to books in general. Kappa’s Philanthropy Chairman, Emily Kohring is so passionate about bringing our members and the community together to help impact children’s lives through Reading is Fundamental. Emily said, “We do not realize how many kids don’t even get to own a book to read, or even have their parents be able to read them a bedtime story. This year, for Reading is Key Week, we did so many fun things and so many different girls in our chapter got to be involved! It’s really cool how many girls get to help out because they get to see first hand what our philanthropy is all about.” On Monday of Reading is Key week, Kappa Kappa Gamma held an event at Young Elementary in Springdale, Arkansas. There, our members read Pete the Cat books to five different kindergarten classrooms, and after reading, they created a craft with the children that went on with the book. “This is my favorite part about our philanthropy and what I think makes ours stand out because we don’t just write a check and send it off to an organization, but we go and do good and get to see change happening right then and there when we read to kids!” Emily said. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Spirit Event through philanthropy this year, was a fun, successful and brand new event, called Kappa Key’s Dip. The event was held at the Kappa house and members and guests got to hang out, eat cheese dip and support children’s literacy all in one evening. Kappa Key’s Dip had an amazing turnout, and the funds were donated directly to the Reading is Fundamental Organization. From there, books are bought to help further children’s ability to read and enhance their love for reading. Lastly, Coffee for Books was another new event Kappa held this year during Reading is Key Week, where we sold Starbucks coffee at the Union for $1.00. The funds from that event were donated to the Reading is Fundamental Organization as well. “It was a really fun week and I think we definitely made a big impact!” says Emily. 

Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma can all agree that one of their favorite ways to impact, help and influence the community is through volunteering at Washington Elementary. When our members volunteer at Washington Elementary, they attend once a week for an hour, helping students with whatever they need. Caroline Buechel, a sophomore member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, volunteers once a week at Washington Elementary and has such a passion for it. “I have volunteered two semesters both in kindergarten classes. The first time I was there in the mornings, during station time, so I would typically stay in the computer station and help the kids work the computers and log them in. Then I would walk around, helping any students who have questions. Currently, I am in an art class in the afternoons.There, I help the kids with their art projects. Typically we help the kids that need the most help on their work, most of the time the teachers will tell us who to help. I know the girls that volunteer in the older classrooms will help with both reading and math. The children really love it and get so excited to see the Kappa’s,” Buechel said. 

I feel constantly so moved and inspired by Kappa Kappa Gamma and all of its members. Our philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental is such an important and significant philanthropy in today’s world. There is a significant literacy crisis facing America today and it begins with the children. Twenty-five million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently. Reading is Fundamental believes that together we can make a real difference and set children on a path of growth and opportunity. I am so honored and thrilled to be apart of such an amazing chapter who is willing to show how significant and real this issue is in America. I love attending all of Kappa’s events in support of Reading is Fundamental and giving donations and support to the organization. It brings joy to me when I see everyone come together to support such an important cause. 

Kappa Kappa Gamma received the Honorable Mention Award at Convention for our philanthropic chapter. Receiving this award meant so much to our chapter. We are constantly striving to make an impact on our campus and throughout our community, and to receive an award after acknowledging our effort means so much to us. We will continuously endeavor in strengthening our chapter’s philanthropy, along with all other philanthropy’s associated with the other Greek organizations on campus. All members of Kappa Kappa Gamma hope that the other Greek organizations on campus feel involved with our philanthropy and feel encouraged by how hard we are working toward encouraging literacy with every child we read to, donate a book to, and are constantly sending love and support to.

Phi Mu: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

This semester has been such an amazing opportunity for the ladies of Phi Mu to grow closer to our philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. With the opening of the newest hospital in Springdale, right down the road from the U of A, some of our lovely ladies got the chance to go and tour the hospital itself. The facility is not only state of the art, but is a beacon of hope for the families here in NWA. “The feeling inside a CMN Hospital is so unique from any other place, since everyone here is simply trying to bring joy to these kids lives”- Catherine Berryhill.

Every spring semester, we pair up with Hogs for Hope, to participate in the day long Dance Marathon. This is a nationwide event that is put on by over 100 colleges, for the U of A it was our 5th year participating. This year we remembered the life of Grady, who will forever have a special place in the heart of our chapter. Together, we united this campus and brought forth a day filled with food, fundraising, and non-stop dancing. From Zumba to dance circles to letting the kids of Arkansas Children’s teach us a thing or two about how to really move, it was a day that I will never forget. At the end, Phi Mu as a whole raised $13,000 going straight to this new hospital!

Also, we are so excited to be in the process of planning a new philanthropic even at our house! The Cheese’n for Childrens dinner will be April 24^th, featuring all foods cheesy it will be an event you do not want to miss!        

              

Pi Beta Phi: Read>Lead>Achieve

This semester we have loved supporting our philanthropy Read>Lead>Achieve. This program provides opportunities for students around the country to improve their reading skills and unlock their true potential. This semester we have had multiple events where we raised money and supplies for these students. One way we raised money for Read>Lead>Achieve was by selling Pizookies at the Pi Phi house. University of Arkansas students and the Northwest Arkansas community came to the Pi Phi house and ate Pizookies (cookies the size of pizzas.) The tickets for the event were $5 each and the proceeds raised went to supporting children’s literacy. Pi Phi’s from freshman to seniors volunteered to work the event and to make sure it ran smoothly. We love this event because it is so delicious and so effective at helping our philanthropy! We also love that we get to have a Pizookie night once a semester! 

Another way we love to support Read>Lead>Achieve is by raising funds and books to be donated to libraries and schools in the Northwest Arkansas area. The book drives we are especially fun when Pi Phi’s got to deliver the books and read to the children. This year freshman Natalie Hundley went to a local elementary school on the anniversary of Dr. Suess’ birthday to read to kindergartens. “I think it’s important to read to kids because I’ve seen first-hand the impact being illiterate can have on a child’s life,” Hundley said. Through her volunteering and reading to kids, Natalie wants to show kids that reading is fun and fundamental to being successful in life. Along with Pizookie and book drives, one of our biggest philanthropy events happens in the fall semester of each school year. 

The Arkansas Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi has established the tradition of holding our annual 5k every September. Members design t-shirts, decorate posters, and dress up in fun costumes to encourage the U of A students and Northwest Arkansas community who come out to run the race. This year Elmo even made a special visit! The members of Pi Phi love this event and the fun we have supporting the runners. Junior Mary Elizabeth Scott says the 5k is her favorite philanthropy event of the year. “Everybody comes and it’s such a big thing,” Scott said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year.”  No matter what we do to raise money and awareness, we love getting to support children’s literacy. Our philanthropy is one of our favorite things about being Pi Phi’s because it brings us all together to support something bigger than ourselves!

Zeta Tau Alpha: Breast Cancer Awareness and Education

Zeta’s philanthropy is breast cancer awareness and education. In the fall, our biggest fundraiser is selling tickets for pink pancakes! This is one of our most popular events that everyone on campus loves. Everyone who buys a five dollar ticket, comes to the house to eat pancakes, while also helping us give back to our philanthropy. Throughout the year, some of our smaller events include percentage nights at restaurants and other ticket opportunities, where students can come to the house for a treat! Something unique that Zeta does, is passing out pink breast cancer ribbons at the union! Students all over campus can be seen wearing these ribbons on their backpack.

Our biggest philanthropy event this semester is Call for a Cure! Our goal this semester, is to raise $40,000 throughout the entire chapter. On April 7th, our Call-A-Thon was held at the house from 1-4pm. During this time, Zeta members called family and friends to ask for donations. So far Zeta has raised $39,000, breaking our record in year’s past. We are so close to our goal and hope to hit it before the end of the semester! 

Lindsey Landwehr, our philanthropy chair, said that her favorite part about our philanthropy is the idea of women helping other women. “Breast cancer is unfortunately such a common disease, and it means so much to show support for these women and their families,” said Lindsey.

            Zeta Tau Alpha is partnered with Bright Pink, the NFL, and the American Cancer Society. Our philanthropy, and the money we raise to support the education and awareness of breast cancer, has a special impact on every zeta. Having a mom who was diagnosed with cancer, I am so thankful for the opportunity we have to be apart of something that can change lives!