October 10, 2019
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — On Sept. 16, 2019, former National President Alison Jakes Argersinger presented a check for $475,269 to Prevent Child Abuse America at the PCA America National Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alison was joined by Sophia Pirozzoli, the chapter president from Theta Lambda-Marquette. The funds will support national efforts to improve the lives of children and families.
The donation represents funds raised during annual Shamrock events hosted by Kappa Delta collegiate and alumnae chapters for the 2018-2019 academic year. Events this year included 5K runs, spaghetti dinners, carnivals, golf tournaments, team sporting events, dance competitions among others.
A full 80 percent of the total funds raised through Shamrock events is donated by collegiate and alumnae chapters to child abuse prevention agencies in their local communities. The remaining amount is sent to the Kappa Delta Foundation, which presents an annual donation to PCA America on behalf of all chapters.
“PCA America and Kappa Delta are intrinsically linked,” explained PCA America President & CEO Dr. Melissa Merrick. “Our founder, Donna J. Stone, was a Kappa Delta alumna who imagined a future where all children grow up in safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments. We are both humbled and invigorated by Kappa Delta’s generous contribution, which is just one demonstration of its longstanding commitment to our efforts to ensure brighter futures for our children and their children, too.”
PCA America is a national organization whose mission is “to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children.” Kappa Delta’s 38-year partnership with PCA America began in 1981. Since that time, the sorority has raised more than $26 million for child abuse prevention.
In addition to hosting Shamrock events, Kappa Delta chapters participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month in April by planting pinwheel gardens to raise awareness as a symbol of happy childhoods.
Established in 1981, the Kappa Delta Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to secure funds for the educational, leadership and charitable purposes of Kappa Delta Sorority, a national organization for women with more than 271,000 members, 168 active collegiate chapters and 224 chartered alumnae chapters nationwide. The foundation is supported by member donations and bequests that fund programs and initiatives such as scholarships, internships, grants and more. Kappa Delta National Headquarters is in Memphis, Tenn. For more information, visit www.kappadelta.org/foundation.
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CONTACT:
Melissa Hammer
901-746-3647
melissa.hammer@kappadelta.orgcreate new email