Gamma Pi recieved the Philanthropy Award at the Greek Awards Ceremony this evening. All chapters from each council are eligable to recieve this award but the ladies of Phi Sig stole the show. Here is the chapter's winning essay:
Last year our chapter donated over $90 per active sister to our national philanthropy, and we were recognized for making a donation that was over two times larger than the encouraged amount. This year we hope to increase this donation even more by the time we write the check in early May, and we are well on our way.
This year our chapter raised $678.52 for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) through our semesterly Rock-A-Thon. During the Fall semester alone, we raised $393.60, which is our highest amount in over three years. In addition to rocking for 24 hours, this year we included a bake sale and we invited WMBC to join us during free hour. Proceeds from our second annual Basket Bingo will also be donated to NKF. Last year was the first time we held Basket Bingo, but with a profit of over $2,000, it was overwhelmingly successful. Because this is our second time planning the event, we now have valuable knowledge about planning the event, which we hope will show in our profit.
NKF is not the only organization that the Gamma Pi chapter raises money for. Our relationship with the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) has grown immensely over the past year, and we are proud to say that it is our local chapter philanthropy. Each sister volunteers for 4 hours at their annual gala and we have also taken on other activities to raise money for autism. Our chapter plans an annual Race for Autism around the loop, not only to collect donations, but also to raise awareness. Our race this year is the first week of May, but last year we raised just under $800 and had 50 community participants. Additionally, our chapter decked out in red and buff for Delta Chi’s Red and Buff Day and won $250 dollars for the Howard County Autism Society.
Sisters have found individual ways to support our philanthropies as well. In early October, over 20 sisters participated in the NKF walk in Washington DC. All together, the team raised over $1,500. A group of just over ten sisters will be volunteering at the DC 101 Chili Cook-off in late May, which also benefits the NKF. A smaller group of sisters supported autism awareness by joining in Walk Now for Autism in mid-October.
Additionally, our chapter has taken on smaller philanthropic projects, such as the Ronald McDonald House. We collected over 1,500 tabs over the past year to donate to the organization. A group of sisters also participated in the Towson Breast Cancer Walk in late October. One of our sisters has a family member with multiple sclerosis. She asked the sisters to join her in the MS Walk later this month. Our team has raised over $1,000 so far and 20 sisters will join her at Towson University to participate.
It is safe to say that our chapter recognizes the importance of contributing to our community and we make philanthropy a priority. We have found numerous outlets to help our national philanthropy, our local philanthropy, and philanthropies of special interest to each of our sisters, and we are very proud of the philanthropic work that we have accomplished.
