Bluegrass Alums ready to empower women

Kentucky – The Bluegrass Alumni Chapter were busy these past couple of months ensuring those who were less fortunate were able to enjoy their holiday’s just a little bit more.  The chapter donated Thanksgiving baskets to deserving families in Frankfort, Louisville, and Bowling Green.  Members also donated a gift card to purchase items for a Teen Angel.

The chapter is gearing up for service in the new year and hope to do more in a variety of areas to empower not only themselves, but their respective communities.  Thus, the chapter developed an internal service program using the theme “Empowering Women through Service” since the chapter expressed interest in that audience.  The goal is for the chapter to complete service hours that are devoted to helping women in poverty, minority community, domestic violence situations, and those who have youth.

Mid-Jersey Shore make rice bottles and donate new toys

New Jersey – The Mid-Jersey Shore Alums recently made rice bottles to be donated to an autistic class in Pennsylvania.  The bottles included soft items in them that the children would have to find and identify.  At their recent meeting, Mid-Jersey Shore collected over 200 new toys for Family and Children Services in Long Branch for the holidays.  The chapter is currently devising plans for their Valentine project and yearly anniversary luncheon.

Twin Cities host Service Day

Minnesota – More than 50 collegiate and alumni members gathered on November 5th for a Service Day sponsored by the Twin Cities Alumni Chapter.  Collegiate chapters in attendance were Alpha Iota, Alpha Pi and Beta Delta.  The morning was spent working on various projects at Bridging, a nonprofit that provides families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty with a one-time gift of furniture and household goods to stabilize and improve their lives.

After lunch, introductions and fellowshipping, the afternoon was spent working on several service projects benefiting a YWCA women’s shelter, breast cancer patients, military families, a senior living center and an elementary school.  The afternoon closed with pictures and the national song.

Beta Sigma staying service driven

Bowling Green, KY – The Beta Sigma Chapter has been living up to the sorority’s service driven name by staying involved in exciting service opportunities during the fall semester.  The chapter met with the families from Habitat for Humanity units the chapter previously helped build homes for and helped with the Safe Day for Children event.  Members passed out flyers about safety and played Halloween games with the children who dressed up as scary monsters.

On National AIDS Day, the chapter joined the campus for the AIDS Awareness Walk and also encouraged other students on Western Kentucky University’s campus to get tested.  Members were also regular visitors at the local Salvation Army, serving dinner to patrons.  To celebrate the holiday season, Beta Sigma decided to sell Christmas ornaments with the proceeds being used for Teen Angel.

Four members of Beta Sigma also volunteered during the month of October at The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK).  They spent 40 hours each as camp counselors helping with activities for the children and their families.  CCK is a medical camping facility for children with life threatening diseases and disabilities.

Beta Sigma continues to be excited about projects and activities they are planning for the spring.  Moreover, the chapter, as well as WKU, is anxious to see the campus flooded with maroon and white in February for the Leadership Conference!

Alpha Psi provides diabetes info and party at autism center

Cape Girardeau, MO – This past fall, Alpha Psi inducted 43 new members almost doubling the chapter!  The chapter members were involved in a variety of service projects with members averaging 30.5 hours.  Alpha Psi made sure to include both local and national organizations on their service calendar.

The chapter was very involved with Project I.M.P.A.C.T. and brought in a Certified Diabetes Speaker to educate Southeast Missouri State University about the disease by hosting an informational night.  A party was also thrown at the local autism center by the chapter.  Members provided sensory activities for children with autism and their families.  The chapter looks forward to completing many more service projects in the spring including Relay for Life and Dance Marathon, a fundraising event for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Beta Gamma members are fundraising fanatics

Newark, DE – The Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Delaware hit the ground running last semester and raised approximately $7,600 for the National Kidney Foundation.  Their efforts were as a result of ten fundraisers, including a chapter hosted variety show.

Beta Gamma has also completed over 5,000 hours of community service!  Their volunteer projects included regularly running projects, drives, and one-time events.  The past semester was Unity Semester where over 180 Beta Gamma members reconnected by participating in tye-dye activities, pumpkin carving, apple picking, venturing to D.C., and attending Fall Ball.  Beta Gamma is excited to welcome the Beta Eta MIT class this spring and continue to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation.