Delta Delta Delta announced its new philanthropic pledge for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this past week.
This new pledge is to raise $60 million over the next 10 years for the families and patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the past, Delta Delta Delta has set and surpassed their goals of raising a whopping $1 million in four years started in 2002, $10 million in 10 years that began in 2006, and $15 million in five years kick-started in 2010. Fortunately, all goals were accomplished early and with time to spare!
Tri Delta began collaboration in raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1999, when the two were officially paired as philanthropic partners. Thus far, the funds raised for St. Jude have been put towards the creation of the hospital’s Teen Room, Tri Delta Patient Care floor, and Specialty C-Clinic. Additionally, the amount collected with their new philanthropic pledge will go towards the Tri Delta Place, which is short-term housing for the families of patients who are battling the ill-effects cancer causes, in their own right.
The ways in which Tri Delta fundraises for philanthropy can vary from chapter to chapter, but here at UC Davis, Delta Delta Delta hosts four main events a year. In fall, the ladies of Tri Delta at UC Davis host their annual Delta Deserts for the Make a Wish Foundation, where anyone and everyone can come to the house and eat as many desserts as their hearts desire and stomachs can hold. In winter, the house normally hosts their equally delectable Midnight Pancakes for St. Jude where people can consume stacks on stacks on stacks of buttercream and chocolate chip in order to fix your evening’s munchies. Another event held in winter, which raises the most funds annually for St. Jude is Sincerely Yours, a letter writing campaign reaching out to sisters’ friends and families asking for any contribution to make a difference in fighting cancer. Furthermore, in spring, UC Davis Tri Delta hosted their inaugural Delta Dodgeball for St. Jude that was a fun- friendly dodge ball competition between a wide-array of fraternities on campus.
Philanthropic goals are what distinguishes chapters in Greek life as well as unifies them in promotion of the public’s greater good. Collectively, the Greek system raises millions of dollars a year to fund philanthropies of all shapes and sizes. Efforts, like Delta Delta Delta’s new pledge to raise $60 million in 10 years for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, will continue to be sought after and championed by chapters across the nation with letters of all different meaning to invest in the philanthropic interests of all varying degrees.
Any amount matters when contributing to charity. Delta Delta Delta’s new pledge should help further establish a philanthropic standard, to be upheld by all citizens, Greek affiliated or not. Besides, philanthropy events can be anything from feasts to fun competitions to raise awareness in a worthwhile way!
Good luck on your new goal Delta Delta Delta!
