SISTERS IN ACTION SISTERS IN ACTION

from The Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2023

IN ACTION IN ACTION

THETA ETA, ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY, OK

For many years, members of the Theta Eta Chapter at Rogers State University have been volunteering at Wild Heart Ranch, a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. Wild Heart Ranch provides care and rehabilitation for more than 3,000 orphaned and injured wild animals each year. Since the Wild Heart Ranch operates solely from donations and volunteers, the Theta Eta Chapter provides necessary aid that allows staff members to dedicate their time to caring for injured animals.

When volunteering, members of the chapter help the Wild Heart Ranch in a variety of ways, including cleaning, ground maintenance and feeding animals. During a recent volunteer opportunity, two members, Kathryn Roberts and Ashley Hammock helped a staff member stabilize an injured crow who came into the facility with a broken leg. They ensured the crow received fluids and made a cast for the animal’s leg.

“Our members frequently express Wild Heart Ranch being their favorite local philanthropic partner,” said Kathryn. “Theta Eta finds meaning in the work that we do there.”

While many animals can be rehabilitated and released back into their habitat, some remain at the clinic to be under constant care. Chapter members frequently visit these animals including Helen the blind hawk, Lumpy the tortoise and Mary the loving raccoon who survived an accident that left her with brain damage.

Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter

For the past three years, the Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter has hosted a canned food drive for The Kind Mouse, an organization that assists families and children in the local area facing food insecurity. The work of dedicated Kind Mouse volunteers allows school-aged children to focus on their futures by easing food hunger outside of school settings.

Chicago North Suburban Alumnae Chapter

Alumnae from the Chicago North Suburban Alumnae Chapter recently began a service project benefiting the WINGS Program, Inc., an organization offering housing, education, advocacy and other services to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence. WINGS provides crisis care, food, clothing and shelter and connects clients with counseling, legal assistance, mentoring, career services and more.

EPSILON KAPPA, MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY, PA

In 1990, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter at Millersville University adopted a section of road in their local community. For 33 years, chapter members have been visiting their section of the road, collecting easily disposable items and litter that have been left behind.

“We all care about the environment and there is a feeling of satisfaction among all of us when we get to look back on how clean the area looks after we finish,” said Shaziya Roberts, Epsilon Kappa Chapter president. “This is something that is very important to us because it is an act of service that truly benefits the community. Being able to put our time into making the world a cleaner place is so rewarding.”

The Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter began volunteering when alumnae member, Lisa Brown, ΓΠ, served as a board member for The Kind Mouse. Over the past three years, participation in the food drive has continued to grow. The first year the alumnae chapter hosted the food drive, they donated a few bags of food. In 2022, they were able to fill an entire trunk full of food to donate.

Chicago North Suburban alumnae attended an open house hosted by WINGS where they learned more about the mission of the organization. Afterward, the members knew they wanted to get involved in a hands-on way. The group began putting together kits of toiletries and warm clothing such as hats, socks and gloves to donate to WINGS.

The chapter visits the site four times a year to help reduce the amount of waste, plastic and litter to help keep their local community clean. This service opportunity also keeps the area clean and safe for wildlife by preventing them from ingesting hazardous materials.

Together Alpha Sigma Alpha collegians, alumnae, family and friends raised $52,346 for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation through Joyously Give Nov. 14-15, 2022. Since its start in 2019, the Foundation's annual giving day continues to gain momentum as a way to celebrate Founders' Day.

Thank you for your gift in celebration of 121 years of Alpha Sigma Alpha

Dollars Raised

There were 346 gifts that raised $52,346 through Joyously Give; making the average gift size $151.29, up 30% from Joyously Give 2021.

Donors

285 alumnae, 20 collegians, 1 parent and 6 friends of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Donors represented 95 chapters and currently live in 40 states, with a tie for the greatest number of donors between Beta Upsilon, Indiana State University, and Gamma Mu, Adrian College, MI, Chapters.

Ambassadors

16 Joyously Give ambassadors helped spread the word through ambassador links and raised more than $6,800. A big thank you to each of them for their extra support, in addition to personally giving.

MATCHES & CHALLENGES

There were 20 matches and challenges, to incorporate more state-based opportunities where donors currently live, or where members joined Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Foundation Donor Impact

Foundation donors are making a difference in the lives of Alpha Sigma Alpha women every day. During the 2022-23 year, the Foundation has and will be providing grants for the following programs and opportunities:

• Three keynote speakers during the 52nd National Convention & Leadership Conference attended by 378 members.

• Behind Happy Faces mental health curriculum for all collegiate chapters and their supporting volunteers reaching more than 4,500 people.

• Community Coaching program for select collegiate chapters focused on networking and communication skills.

• The Academy keynote presentation at three locations in spring 2023, anticipated to have more than 450 collegians are expected in attendance.

• Workforce Retention Bootcamp webinar series for staff members focused on engaging teams and reducing turnover.

• CrowdChange fundraising platform for all collegiate chapters to facilitate in easy and secure fundraising efforts for all three national philanthropic partners and local charities.

Donors provide the funds that make these grants possible. Donors impact current and future generations of Alpha Sigma Alpha members. Donors are the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation!

Thank you to everyone who has given to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation and for your continued commitment to elevating the influence of women in the world.

New Donors

37 people made their first donation to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation through Joyously Give, with an average donation of approximately $56.

Pictured here is Beta Sigma, Missouri State University, celebrating their 75th Anniversary.

Below is the list of chapters celebrating a significant milestone during the 2022-23 academic year.

25years

50years

Zeta Chi, Niagara University, NY – 3/21/1998

Zeta Omicron, Muskingum University, OH – 3/28/1998

Zeta Pi, Colorado State University-Pueblo – 4/18/1998

Zeta Rho, University of West Alabama – 5/9/1998

75years

Chicago Metro Alumnae Chapter – 3/19/1973

In the winter of 1960...

...members of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter collected gifts for patients at the Indiana State Hospital. Pictured here are Paula Sierpe McKay, BY, and Elizabeth “Betty” Presnall Bliss, XX, entering the hospital’s gift depot.