Recently, as we all know, a few Greek chapters across the nation have been caught in scandals. Unfortunately, this does not only shed bad light on those specific chapters, but rather, Greek communities as a whole.
As a chapter that strictly follows our national's guidelines, it's a little frustrating that a few bad eggs overshadow all the good that my sorority, and many other sororities and fraternities, do each year.
So in lieu of the bad publicity that has been surrounding Greek life in many articles on social media and on the news, I wanted to write an article showing all of the positive, philanthropic efforts that often are not recognized.
I am a freshman in the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Delta Delta Delta at the University of South Carolina. One thing that I think is interesting about Tri Delta is how all Tri Delta chapters across the nation are all raising money for one common charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For those of you who don't know, St. Jude is not like other children's hospitals, because “families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live," according to their website.
The hospital researches rare forms of childhood cancer and invents new treatments that are shared with other hospitals worldwide, free of cost. Since opening in 1962, the survival rate of patients at St. Jude went from 20 percent to more than 80 percent. Because of contributors like Tri Delta, St. Jude can focus on what matters most — saving children's lives.
Through multiple fundraising events throughout the year, Tri Delta raises money to support St. Jude. To name a few, each year we sell tickets for an away football game celebration at a local restaurant that includes big screens and food; we also take part in a national philanthropy event, called Sincerely Yours, where we each hand address 50 letters to our friends and family spreading awareness and asking for a donation. With over 300 girls in our chapter, that's over 15,000 letters!
Through the efforts of Tri Delta chapters across the nation, our sorority was the 2014 Partner of the Year for St. Jude, and committed to raising $60 million in 10 years. This is the LARGEST single commitment by a St. Jude partner. With the intent of this large contribution, the short-term housing facility at St. Jude was named Tri Delta Place.
While 10 years is a safe estimate, Tri Delta has a history of breaking all fundraising expectations.
In 2005, Tri Delta raised $1 million that opened the hospital's Teen Room a YEAR EARLIER than expected.
In 2006, Tri Delta vowed to raise $10 million in 10 years to name the Patient Care Floor in the Chili's Care Center. FOUR YEARS BEFORE the deadline, Tri Delta achieved the $10 million fundraising goal.
Most recently, in July 2010, Tri Delta promised it's third commitment, to raise $15 million in 5 years to name the Specialty Clinic located in the Patient Care Center at St. Jude. In just three and a half years, Tri Delta met their $15 million fundraising goal.
St. Jude costs about $1.8 million to run every single day. With efforts from many retailers and of course, Tri Delta, the hospital can continue to do its job. In the 2013-14 academic school year, Tri Delta raised over 6 million dollars, and to date, Tri Delta has raised OVER 30 million beyond what many large box stores had raised. Pretty impressive for just a bunch of sorority girls, huh?
Speaking of sorority girls, every chapter at my school has events throughout the year to raise awareness and money for great causes …
Alpha Gamma Delta- Diabetes Awareness and Education
Alpha Chi Omega- Domestic Violence Awareness
Alpha Delta Pi- Ronald McDonald House
Chi Omega- Make A Wish Foundation
Delta Zeta- Speech and Hearing & The Painted Turtle Camp
Gamma Phi Beta- Building Strong Girls
Kappa Delta- Prevent Child Abuse & Girl Scouts of America
Kappa Kappa Gamma- Reading is Fundamental
Phi Mu- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Pi Beta Phi- The Power of Reading
Zeta Tau Alpha- Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
In addition to this, many members of these chapters joined to support Circle of Sisterhood, which work to remove education barriers for women in the United States and developing countries. In just four years, they have been able to support organizations in 17 countries, as well as fund the building of two schools.
And to name a few fraternities and their efforts…
Alpha Epsilon Pi- Charitable organizations that have an Israeli or Jewish base
Phi Kappa Sigma- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Phi Sigma Kappa- Special Olympics
Tau Kappa Epsilon- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Unfortunately, these amazing efforts are often overshadowed. Many people are unaware of how much Greek life actually gives back to those who truly need it. I encourage you to share this article, as well as your chapter's efforts, to shed some well-deserved light on the Greek organizations that truly deserve it.
