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 ofcommunities nationwide join forces in a collective effort to raise money for national and local child abuse prevention efforts. Since the Shamrock Event'sinception, Kappa Deltas have collected nearly $3 million and have donated $659,900 to PCAA, with approximately $2.4 million remaining in the local communities to aid agencies in the immediate area. Here at the University of Rochester, our Shamrock Event every March features a variety of University performance groups such as The Yellowjackets, Vocal Point, The Midnight Ramblers, Ballet Performance Group, Bhangra Dancers, Strong Jugglers, and In Between the Lines Improvisational Group. Our most recent Shamrock Event was a huge success! The event packed Strong Auditorium with students, community members, and faculty, and raised over $1,000 for the Mt. Hope Family Center in Rochester and Prevent Child Abuse America .
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. In February, a group of sisters organized a “Nurture Yourself Day” at the local battered women’s shelter. At this event we focused on supporting these strong women by taking care of their children while they relaxed with a massage or makeover, serving lunch, and leading a creative journal writing session. One of our sisters even taught a lesson in Chi Gong meditation!
Furthermore, three of our sisters – 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 this past spring. The event raised over $26,000 and, of course, the Kappa Delta team was represented in full force at the walk. We have also been involved with the American Heart Association Walk, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, and the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
