Pennsylvania State Organization
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS
of the ALPHA PHI CHAPTER
of The DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
of the ALPHA PHI CHAPTER
of The DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
The Society of Delta Kappa Gamma has seven purposes. One is to “stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.” One of the core values of the Society is philanthropy. In working to meet this purpose and value, members participate in the following community outreach projects:
BABY LOVE LAYETTES
In 2008, our own BJ Berich began this program at Magee Women’s Hospital of UMPC. Learning that some newborns leave the hospital in just a sheet she made a commitment that every baby would have an outfit to wear for their homecoming. Originally purchasing items with her own funds, she provided onesies, sleepers, socks, bibs, and blankets for the babies. Soon her church got involved and began to provide baby items and financial support. Friends and members of organizations to which BJ has spoken (which is how our Chapter designated this program as one of the charities we will support) all are involved in helping BJ ensure that all newborns feel wrapped in love and comfort when they leave the hospital. Since 2012 our Chapter has supported this program with baby items and funds donated by member contributions. Project contact, BJ Berich
JABULANI SCHOOL, ZIMBABWE, AFRICA
Schools for Africa became the Society's first official international project in 2010. The SFA mission involves providing access to quality basic education for children, focusing on girls, orphans and other vulnerable youngsters.
In 2015, through funds from a DKG Enrichment Grant, Alpha Beta member Linda McElroy visited Zimbabwe, Africa to learn more about education in that country. Her guide, Harrison, talked of efforts to build a school. Learning that $30,000 was needed to complete construction of the Jabulani Secondary building, upon her return to the United States, Linda set out to help raise funds to meet that goal. She was successful in getting two $10,000 grants from the Society’s Foundation and the remaining $10,000 has been raised from private donations along with fund raisers done by DKG chapters across Pennsylvania.
The Jabulani Secondary building has been completed but fundraising is ongoing for basic school supplies, equipment (computers), and meals. The children from this impoverished area depend on the school for a nutritious meal each day. In order to provide this meal for one month for each of the 130 students, $80 is needed.
In Zulu, Jabulani means “happiness” or “joy.” Receiving an education is truly a joy for these students. Contact for this project is Becky Johnen.
In 2015, through funds from a DKG Enrichment Grant, Alpha Beta member Linda McElroy visited Zimbabwe, Africa to learn more about education in that country. Her guide, Harrison, talked of efforts to build a school. Learning that $30,000 was needed to complete construction of the Jabulani Secondary building, upon her return to the United States, Linda set out to help raise funds to meet that goal. She was successful in getting two $10,000 grants from the Society’s Foundation and the remaining $10,000 has been raised from private donations along with fund raisers done by DKG chapters across Pennsylvania.
The Jabulani Secondary building has been completed but fundraising is ongoing for basic school supplies, equipment (computers), and meals. The children from this impoverished area depend on the school for a nutritious meal each day. In order to provide this meal for one month for each of the 130 students, $80 is needed.
In Zulu, Jabulani means “happiness” or “joy.” Receiving an education is truly a joy for these students. Contact for this project is Becky Johnen.
LITTLE LIBRARIES
One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home. But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home. Little Free Libraries play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books in areas where books are scarce. Our chapter enlisted the help of teachers and students at Pleasant Hills Middle School for this project. Integrating this project into her curriculum, Rebecca Reid and her students designed and built two little libraries for us. One will be placed in Elizabeth near the Bethesda United Presbyterian Church and the other at Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth. Suzanne Mackulin is our chapter contact for this project.
OLIVET FOOD BANK
Run by the Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth (but also supporting surrounding communities) this program is held the third Tuesday of each month and sees 50 to 60 families each month. Dedicated volunteers pack boxes of food in the morning and distribute the food in the afternoon. They also assist those who need help getting the boxes to their cars. The DKG donations along with other community support go a long way in keeping this program going.
Our chapter contact is Louise Biddle.
Our chapter contact is Louise Biddle.
ST. MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HOMESTEAD FOOD BANK
This program was started in 2010 by two sisters in memory of their mother. The last Saturday of each month, volunteers prepare the bags of food that help 20-30 families. This program sees residents primarily from the Homestead area. The evening of the food distribution day, around 50 people participate in a free-will-offering soup supper meal. Food for this meal is prepared by our own DKG member, Jan Kusserow. On holidays, traditional meals are provided through this program and picnic suppers are offered in the summer. This church has a small congregation with a big heart as its members donate what they can to support the program so the donations from DKG along with other groups are most needed and welcomed. Chapter contacts for this project are Lillian Lutz and Jan Kusserow.