Many
Tri Delta chapters have organized trips to St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, and many have participated in a Sincerely
Yours
letter-writing campaign, but few have combined the two activities. The Chi
Chapter at the University of Mississippi did just that and the result was an
inspirational experience for chapter members.
Since 1999 Tri Delta's partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has provided financial support to fulfill Danny Thomas' wish that "No child should die in the dawn of life."The Sincerely Yours letter-writing campaign is a program that encourages each Tri Delta chapter member to send 50 letters to family, friends and neighbors asking them to donate money to support St. Jude in their efforts.
This February, all 250 chapter members participated in the one-and-a-half-hour journey from Ole Miss, in Oxford, Miss., to St. Jude, in Memphis, Tenn. Upon arrival at St. Jude, chapter members were divided into two groups. While one group toured the hospital the other worked on crafts for patients and visited the St. Jude gift store. The chapter convened in the Kay Kafe for a catered lunch where a panel of patients and their families met them and shared their personal experiences at St. Jude. Afterwards, the inspired chapter members held their Sincerely Yours letter-writing campaign.
University of Mississippi philanthropy chairman, Emily Lovejoy says, "I have never heard more rave reviews about a Tri Delta function! I have had girls coming to me begging for another visit and asking what more they can do to help. It has truly been a blessing to see how inspiring this trip has been to so many people."
The trip was successful in encouraging members to continue supporting this noble and worthy cause through the Sincerely Yours campaign as well as their other fundraising endeavors. Members were able to see the impact that Tri Delta is having through personal stories of life-saving work taking place at St. Jude. Hosting the two events together proved to be a winning combination for Chi Chapter.
Emily
encourages other chapters and members to visit St. Jude. "The experience was
breathtaking. We were able to see firsthand what Tri Delta was a part of and
who we were affecting. The experience changed everything we've thought about
philanthropy for our chapter."
For more information about your chapter visiting St. Jude in Memphis or scheduling a tour, contact stjude@trideltaeo.org.
There are many ways for chapters and individuals to support St. Jude. Learn more about Sincerely Yours and Tri Delta's signature programs to raise money for St. Jude on the signature program page.
