Philanthropy

Philanthropy, Scholarships, and Support

Reading is FUNdamental

Along with several local philanthropy and community service efforts, the members of the Eta Theta chapter support our national philanthropy organization, Reading Is Fundamental. Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. RIF programs annually serve 5.1 million children of all ages, most of whom are at risk of educational failure, with a focus on those from birth to age 11.

All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.

RIF's accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and thousands of individuals.

But RIF needs our help! RIF relies on government funding and in order for this program to continue to expand and help more kids the Senate Labor-HHS- Education Appropriations Subcommittee needs to vote for an increase in funding to 27 million dollars in 2005. This committee will be meeting in early September and all that you need to do to support RIF is to contact your senator before Sept.7th to advocate that they support the increase in funding. States with senators on the committee include PA, MS, NH, TX, ID, AK, OH, AL, IA, SC, HI, NV, WI, WA, and LA. Even if your senator isn't on the committee your phone call or email can still make a difference.

I encourage you to check out RIF's website yourself at www.rif.org for a list of committee members and more info about RIF. You can also get contact info for your senator at www.senate.gov

2005 Service Days

On one Saturday each Fall, Winter and Spring, Eta Theta rolls up its sleeves and volunteers at the Margaret Fuller House in Cambridge. The Margaret Fuller House has been a center dedicated to the mental and physical wellness of the Cambridge community since 1902, and now offers social and educational programs like IT courses for adults and after school programs for kids. During the Fall Service Day on September 24, 18 Kappas got to paint, weed flower gardens, sort storage spaces, trim hedges, rake, and volunteer in the Margaret Fuller food pantry. Eta Theta chapter is proud to be partnering with this great Cambridge institution, and we look forward to many successful service days in semesters to come.

"A house is no home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as for the body" - Margaret Fuller.

Learn more about the Margaret Fuller House at margaretfullerhouse.org

Literacy and Leadership Program

Eta Theta is partnering with The Martin Luther King Jr. School in Cambridge to offer a "Literacy and Leadership" Program to Eighth and Fourth grade girls. Every Monday, Kappas supervise while eighth grade girls mentor and read aloud to fourth grader girls from their K-8 school. Every Wednesday, each Eighth grade girl meets with her Kappa mentor to brainstorm ideas for the next week. Kappa mentors encourage the Eighth grade girls to be leaders within their school communities, to understand and promote the importance of reading and excelling academically, while also encouraging and supporting their mentees. The Literacy and Leadership Program is a way for Eta Theta to combine Kappa's Tradition of Leadership and support for Reading is Fundamental in a program that positively impacts the Cambridge community.

Eta Theta's Fundraisers

Every Fall, Eta Theta designs women's tee shirts for the Harvard Yale game as a fundraiser for one of our philanthropies. Last year's tee shirts were a huge success on campus and sold out entirely!

This Winter, Eta Theta will sell Christopher Radko glass ornaments in the shape of Kappa Keys in order to raise money for our philanthropies. Eta Theta will give Boston Alums and Kappa parents the opportunity to buy these beautiful ornaments just in time for the holidays.

Proceeds from our fundraisers will be donated to at least three philanthropies: The Rose McGill Fund, The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and Reading is Fundamental.

Relay for Life

Every Spring, Eta Theta joins other student organizations and community groups in the Cambridge Relay for Life. Last year Eta Theta raised just under $2,000 to benefit cancer research and programs of the American Cancer Society. This year we look forward to even higher returns, and another meaningful night of celebrating survivorship together.

Scholarships

No deserving, qualified Kappa should have to interrupt her education. The Foundation awards annual scholarships to qualified Kappas to help cover the rising costs of higher education. For the 2000-2002 biennium $733,915 was awarded to outstanding Kappa scholars.

Rose McGill Fund

No Kappa sister should suffer in times of financial distress. The Rose McGill Fund, established in 1922, has many programs which give confidential aid to deserving Kappas of all ages who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves in financial need due to misfortune or illness. During the 2000-2002 biennium the Rose McGill Programs provided $545,140 in support.

Educational & Leadership Programming

Every Kappa should have an opportunity to develop as a person and as part of a group. The Foundation supports the development and use of educational programs that benefit our members. During the 2000-2002 biennium, $187,000 was provided for the development and presentation of various programs for our members.