Philanthropy
Since its founding over 100 years ago, Kappa Delta Sorority
has empowered countless women to leave a lasting mark
on the world around them. As well as participating in the
philanthropy events held by the other organizations in the
Greek community, Kappa Delta is proud to have four philanthropy projects- the most of any Panhellenic sorority.
Prevent Child Abuse America
Since 1981, Kappa Delta has supported the child abuse prevention efforts of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA), founded by the late Donna Stone Pesch, a Kappa Delta initiate of Lambda Chapter at Northwestern. Known nationally as Kappa Delta's 'Shamrock Event,' each year, thousands of Kappa Deltas in hundreds of
communities nationwide join forces in a collective effort to raise money for national and local child abuse prevention efforts. Here at the University of Rochester, our Shamrock Event this past year included a 5K Run/Walk with a live band and BBQ following afterwards.
Children's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia
Kappa Delta's support of the Children's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia dates back to 1921 with a modest pledge of $1,200 to support two beds. Today, Kappa Delta donates $25,000 annually to the hospital. The Epsilon Rho Chapter contributes to this fund by raising money and making “Get Well” cards to patients.
Girl Scouts of the USA
Kappa Delta is the first and only National Panhellenic sorority to adopt the Girl Scouts as a nationalphilanthropy. Throughout the year, Kappa Deltas work with the Girl Scouts in a number of ways. Additionally,The Kappa Delta Foundation contributes $10,000 annually to the Girl Scout Gold Award program,providing each Girl Scout Gold Award Young Woman of Distinction award recipient a $1,000 scholarship toward their college tuition.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
The establishment of a Kappa Delta Orthopedic Research Grant was announced in 1947 to augment our commitment to the Children's Hospital. Three $20,000 awards, administered through the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, recognize outstanding research in orthopedics and enable the researchers to continue their efforts. The awards, known as the “Nobel Prizes of Orthopedic Research,” are considered to be the highest recognition of excellence in orthopedic research.
Local Philanthropic Accomplishments of Epsilon Rho
We as sisters in Kappa Delta have continued to not only raise money but to donate our time as well for philanthropic purposes. For National Women's Friendship Day, our chapter in conjuction with Ben & Jerry's sold ice cream and sent the proceeds to Alternatives for Battered Women. Many members of our chapter also participiated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held in Pittsford this past fall. We have also been involved with the American Heart Association Walk and the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
Furthermore, three of our alumnae – Kat Abejuela, Sarah Baroody, and Jennifer Greenman – founded a chapter of Colleges Against Cancer at the University of Rochester and organized its first Relay for Life walk. The event raised over $26,000 and, of course, the Kappa Delta team was represented in full force at the walk. Many of our members still participiate in Relay for Life every year and represent Kappa Delta in our university's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer.
