Sincerely, Sisterhood
Writer: Grace C. / Editors: Ariana W. and Savannah T. / Photos Editor: Olivia E. / Photos submitted by chapter
After a year marked by change and uncertainty, it is essential that we continue connecting with our sisters and raising awareness for our various philanthropic endeavors. Kendall B., Delta Delta Delta’s Director of Philanthropy and Dance Marathon Delegate Kendall B. discusses how this looks like for chapters here at Florida State.
Kendall joined Tri Delta her Sophomore year as a part of PC’19 after falling in love with their Philanthropy. “I immediately knew I wanted to get involved with it in any way possible.” As a New Member, Kendall joined her Chapter’s Philanthropy committee before becoming its Director. Through her position as Director of Philanthropy, Kendall has the opportunity to plan events to raise money and awareness for both of their Philanthropies, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Maura’s Voice.
St. Jude Children’s Hospital is a research hospital in Tennessee that aims to cure childhood cancer and a number of life-threatening diseases faced by children. The Tri Delta Place was created for patients and families who are in need of treatment at St. Jude for a week or less and was established to alleviate the financial burdens faced by families who have children in need. “Since Tri Delta’s membership with St. Jude started in 1999, we have raised over 75 million dollars,” asserts Kendall.
Lauren S., Tri Delta’s St. Jude Chair who works alongside Kendall to organize, plan, and execute all things related to St. Jude within her chapter. She is responsible for helping manage their budget when planning events, corresponding with other chapters, and running their philanthropy events in an effort to maximize and meet their fundraising goals. She expresses that “I have always had such a special place in my heart for the influence of hospitals on the individuals and families in need of medical care. After experiencing my mom passing from breast cancer and knowing the influence the hospital setting had on her and our family as a whole gives me an even greater heart for St. Jude and all that they do for their patients. I knew during philanthropy round that I wanted to be involved with St. Jude after seeing all of the members share the same passions as I do.”
Maura’s Voice, on the other hand, is a philanthropy very special to the women of Tri Delta as it is a foundation for their sister, Maura Binkley, who was killed during a hot yoga class in Tallahassee in November of 2018. Maura’s parents created the foundation in remembrance of her and in hopes to raise funds and awareness against hate crimes.
“The month of November is dedicated to Maura and her everlasting presence within our sisterhood. Although most of our active members now never had the pleasure of personally meeting Maura, we continue to celebrate her life through events within our chapter. In previous years we have celebrated her by watching her favorite movies and indulging in her favorite snacks as well as lighting lanterns at night in memory of the light she brought into this world. Being that Maura’s voice is fairly new we are excited to continue to grow this philanthropy and hopefully that includes more community events!” says Amber P., Tri Delta’s Maura’s Voice Chair.
As is the case with everything in our lives, COVID has affected the chapter’s philanthropy events as they must find new ways to host our events in safe and socially distanced environments. “Luckily we have been able to adapt and brainstorm new and exciting ways to continue our beloved Spring philanthropy events, like Sincerely Yours, in COVID safe ways,” says Kendall. They have implemented new rules and regulations such as creating time slots to minimize the number of members at the event at one time, placing hand sanitizer stations throughout our event, and wiping down surfaces regularly.
Their Sincerely Yours event, which took place internally on February 23rd, is an annual letter-writing campaign hosted at their house for sisters to write and decorate letters to send to their friends and family with information about St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Of Sincerely Yours, Lauren S. shares that “With our fundraising endeavors, the money collected goes directly to St. Jude to help with prevention efforts and finding cures for children’s diseases.” This year, members will come to the house in groups of 50 or less and will Zoom with their St. Jude Children’s Hospital representative. “Our Philanthropy is something that all of our members hold near and dear to their hearts and take enormous pride in. To us, Philanthropy means so much more than a dollar amount raised for an organization. To us, philanthropy means educating the public about those in need, it means putting others before yourself, it symbolizes hope and new beginnings, and most importantly, it inspires us to always be kind alike to all. I anticipate this event to bring our members closer to one another as it allows them to bond and create memories with each other while learning about all of the miracles that take place at St. Jude every single day,” according to Kendall.
Following their event, Kendall exclaims that it had been a huge success. In addition to their St. Jude representative attending virtually to teach their members about all the amazing things that take place at St. Jude every single day and what the money their fundraise goes towards, they were able to send out 4,000 letters to family and friends. “We are ecstatic to see how much money we raise this year. Last year we raised $22,000 through this Sincerely Yours and our goal this year is to surpass that!” she states excitedly.
In addition to bonding with one another and raising awareness for their efforts with St. Jude, Kendall is hoping that Sincerely Yours will bring their members closer to all of the important people in their lives. “While this event will bring our members closer to all of the great people in their lives, it will also allow our members to develop a deeper connection with our philanthropy as they will learn what all of the money we raise goes towards and how it is making a difference in children’s lives everywhere,” asserts Kendall.
“St. Jude is the core of our passions that connects us as a chapter. At the end of the day, our sisterhood is as strong as it is all thanks to St. Jude. Every fundraiser, philanthropy event, and goal that we collaborate on allows us as a chapter to grow closer as a whole,” reiterates Lauren.