“Do Good.” These two simple words are the basis of Delta Gamma’s philanthropy and commitment to service on both local and nationwide levels. Beta Theta chapter is highly involved in our national Service for Sight organization as well as in our local Durham and Chapel Hill communities. From fundraising events to bi-monthly visits to a nursing home to personal causes, the Delta Gammas at Duke University are working together to fulfill our fraternity’s motto on this campus and across the globe. Service for Sight Altruistic work during the First World War convinced Delta Gammas that service was an important part of their Fraternity life. Service for Sight was born out of a suggestion in an alumnae workshop at Convention in 1936. The enthusiasm of one particular member, Ruth Billow, H-Akron, who was blind herself and spoke from notes typed in Braille, was the spark which brought acceptance of Service for Sight as our national project. Since 1952, Delta Gamma has given over $1,315,808 to 42 organizations in the United States and Canada. In 2000, the Foundation was pleased to award $150,000 to such organizations. These organizations include the American Foundation for the Blind; the Braille Institute of America, Inc.; The Foundation Fighting Blindness; schools for blind children across America; Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic; and the United States Association for Blind Athletes. Beta Theta Involvement The Delta Gamma sisters at Duke are very proud of their involvement in raising funds for Service for Sight. In addition to raising funds for noble causes, the Delta Gamma sisters have volunteered over 1000 hours just this past semester in Durham and the surrounding areas. They have helped out with numerous on- and off-campus groups, giving their time and services back to the community. The Duke Eye Center Beta Theta’s local beneficiary is the Duke Eye Center. Located across campus, this facility is devoted to patient care and excellent research. In focusing on patients with visual impairments and diseases, the Duke Eye Center provides top-notch medical treatments alongside loving personal care and activities for patients, such as the Touchable Art Gallery. Ranked sixth in the nation, the Duke Eye Center also strives to find cures for blinding eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Beta Theta could not think of a better recipient of its donations than the local and life-changing Duke Eye Center. North Carolina Prevents Blindness and Unite for Sight Recently, fifty members of Beta Theta Chapter were certified for vision screenings by North Carolina Prevents Blindness on February 17, 2008. With this certification, we can enter local Durham schools and conduct vision screenings on elementary aged children. Not only does this screening aid young students in correcting sight problems, but it also allows for early prevention and diagnosis (by a doctor). We hope to certify the rest of our chapter by next fall, and in doing so, we will have multiple opportunities to work with local elementary schools alongside Duke University’s own Unite for Sight. Golden Anchor One of our most treasured services is our bi-monthly commitment to the residents of Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill. Through the CATER (Creative Alternatives to Enhance Recreation) program, sisters interact with the program coordinators and residents through plays, singing, working puzzles, leading crafts, and simple conversation. This program, titled Golden Anchor, is a pleasure to both parties involved. The sisters and the residents enjoy each other’s company, and Sunday mornings could not come any sooner for the happy participants. Anchor Slam In the fall, our Anchor Slam tournament combines the Duke students’ love of basketball with their commitment to making this world a better place. Anchor Slam 2007 took place in the Intramural Gym on October 19, 2007. This three-on-three basketball tournament was held to raise money for the Duke Eye Center, the Delta Gamma Foundation, and the Jimmy Carter Center for Trachoma Prevention based in Atlanta, Georgia. With involvement from outside business sponsors, Duke fraternities and sororities, intramural basketball teams, and basketball-loving Duke students, the tournament raised $4000 and brought Dukies together to participate in an important cause. Gammas on the Green In the spring, our Gammas on the Green golf tournament unites community golfers, Durham and Chapel Hill businesses, and Duke participants in an event to raise money for our philanthropy. This tournament has become Beta Theta’s most successful fundraiser, and the fourth annual event held on April 14, 2007, at the Washington Duke Golf Course raised $8000 for the Duke Eye Center, the Delta Gamma Foundation, and the Jamaican Eye Health Institute. This last beneficiary is a recent addition, and thus Beta Theta has become the first Delta Gamma chapter, collegiate or alumnae, to donate internationally. Gammas is a year long project that culminates in a fun day on the greens for both Delta Gamma members and local participating golfers.

 

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Gretchen Feinberg, Chapter President.