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"Extra intellectual and material gifts bring with them the privilege and responsibilities of sharing with others less fortunate. Service is the rent we pay for living." |
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-The Measure of Our Success by Marian Wright Edelman |
Reading is Fundamental
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Kappas have always been committed to sharing our time, talent and treasure with our communities, and at the 2004 National Convention, the Fraternity adopted Reading is Fundamental as our national philanthropy. Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), works to build a literate nation by helping young people discover the joy of reading. RIF's highest priority is to serve the nation's under-served children and families through the development and delivery of literacy programs and campaigns that motivate youth to read regularly. The Portland Alumnae have chosen to support SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) as our local charity as there is no Portland RIF Chapter. SMART pairs an adult volunteer with a K-3 child for a 30 minute reading session each week for seven months and provides each child in the program with two new books a month. The program leads to increased literacy, higher high school graduating rates and empowering of children. We have been collecting books at all of our major events and also made a group donation this year in the name of each of our dues paying members. The Alumnae Association’s gift will help SMART purchase 60 new books and further support the Fraternity’s focus on reading. Each book will have a label placed inside noting that the Portland Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma sponsored the book.
We encourage you to make a donation to SMART to honor someone important in your life, for a birthday, holiday or anniversary, in lieu of a gift. If you note Kappa Kappa Gamma in your contribution, this will help SMART to track The Portland Alumnae Association’s contribution to SMART. See more information at http://www.getsmartoregon.org/ Upcoming Events: Summer SMART Scavenger Hunt - July 2012 Start collecting books to donate at Kappa Kick Off and Founders Day 2012! If you would like to volunteer or have suggestions for future activities, please contact our Philanthropy Chair: Jan'l Thomas Earnshaw at (503) 682-5971 or duck@sjearnshaw.com |
Women Supporting Women: Panhellenic Philanthropy Involvement
Abby’s Closet is a local philanthropy that the Portland Area Panhellenic group is sponsoring this year. The mission of Abby’s Closet is “to inspire confidence and respect in high school women by providing free formal gowns for prom and other memorable events.” This truly amazing non-profit supplies prom and special event dresses for high school women, more at http://www.abbyscloset.org/.
The Portland Kappas have been collecting dresses for Abbey's closet at our various events, and this year seven of your Portland Kappas participated in the March Prom Dress Give Away. This fun event helped over 3,000 area high school women find the prom dresses of their dreams. we have the opportunity to volunteer with Abbey’s Closet at their “8th Annual Abby’s Closet Prom Gown Giveaway.”
From the Left: Stacy Venetz, Haley Thompson, Emily Kyser, Elisabeth Rice, Joan Hunter, Michele Becker
We will be accepting your donation of gently used formal wear dressses and accessories (shoes, handbags, and unopend make-up) to Kappa Kick Off and Founders Day 2012!
If you are interested in supporting Panhellenic in this way, please email our Phanell Rep:
Emily Kyser: emilyjsj@hotmail.com