Philanthropy: Serving Others
One of the purposes of Sigma
Kappa membership is to support worthwhile philanthropic projects in our
communities. Nationally, we support three philanthropies through the generosity
of Sigma Kappa members.
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Alzheimer's Disease was adopted as a national philanthropy at the 1984
convention. Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive and debilitating neurological
disorder, affects an estimated four million adults. It has devastating
emotional and financial effects on the entire family of the victims. Sigma
Kappas raise funds to further research to find a cure for Alzheimer's
Disease and to give support to the victims and their families. The aged need
to be part of our society and to feel that someone cares. Sigma Kappas
stretch their loving hands and concerned hearts out to senior citizens
throughout the nation as they support our gerontology programs. |
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Gerontology
Sigma Kappa was the
first national sorority to appreciate the need for continued, comprehensive work
in the field of gerontology, the scientific study of the effects of aging on
humans. This is a relatively new field of social service as a result of
increased life expectancy. Sigma Kappa has adopted this field as a major
endeavor on both the national and local levels. Every alumnae chapter has the
opportunity to plan gerontology projects to meet the needs of its own community.
The range of weekly or monthly services includes volunteer service in geriatric
wards, supporting Meals on Wheels programs, providing funds for short-term, no
interest loans to purchase new glasses and hearing aids, surveying the needs of
the elderly in the community and sponsoring senior citizens clubs. In 1992,
Sigma Kappa adopted Inherit the Earth, which is an environmental program to
create an awareness of environmental issues and solutions. This program is
jointly sponsored by Sigma Kappa and the Senior Citizens Environment Corps.
Recognizing the efforts of Sigma Kappa in this field, the government invited
Sigma Kappa to participate in the White House Conference on Aging. The Sigma
Kappa Foundation awards scholarships to Sigma Kappas in the field of
gerontology, and grants are made to social workers, colleges and universities to
further studies in geriatrics an gerontology projects.
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In honor
of our five Founders from Maine, the 1918 convention chose the Maine Sea
Coast Mission as our first national philanthropy. This effort began a long
history of service and philanthropic activities for all Sigma Kappas. The
coast of Maine is rocky and infertile. There are many families of fishermen
and lighthouse keepers living on small, isolated islands. Largely through
the efforts of Angus and Alexander McDonald, two Maine clergymen, the Maine
Sea Coast Missionary Society was organized at Bar Harbor, Maine in 1905. The
mission superintendent, doctors, nurses and workers travel about the 2,500
mile coastline of their parish in a trusty boat, the Sunbeam. They bring
medical aid, dental aid, food, clothing, Bible school instruction, toys for
children and reading material to the Maine Sea Coast families. Sigma Kappa
began contributing to the Mission as early as 1911. Each November, Sigma
Kappa chapters pack gift boxes of needed items to help the families
celebrate Christmas. Many Sigma Kappas have given loyally of their time and
money, some have spent summers working at the Mission. The need for funds
for the Mission is ever present |
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Zeta Kappa
also proudly supports the
San Angelo Aids
Foundation, San Angelo Meals for the Elderly, Concho Valley Regional Food Bank,
and the local Alzheimer's Association.
