Our members are impacting their communities by participating in service projects and creating opportunities to help others. Kappa’s philanthropic efforts are concentrated in three areas: local organizations, Reading Is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. We know inspiration often comes from personal connections. We encourage our chapters to assist local organizations that hold special meaning for them. For example, members of our chapter at the University of Colorado hosted Kappa Kookout, a barbecue event that also featured dunk tanks, a watermeloneating contest, live music, and a cotton candy machine. Over 350 people attend the event and the chapter raised over $7,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Another way our chapters give back to their local communities is by hosting a GIRLS (Girls Inspiring Respect, Leadership and Service) Academy, the first program of its kind among fraternal organizations. During GIRLS Academy, collegiate and alumna members of Kappa mentor and encourage middle-school girls. The participants learn to challenge negativity, develop self-esteem and become ethical leaders. However, they aren’t the only ones who benefit from this program. Those collegiate and …show more content…
Together with RIF, Kappa is helping create a literate America by inspiring a passion for reading among all children. Kappas do their part by hosting Reading Is Key events on their campuses and in their communities. The Kappa chapter at ISU will be encouraged to partner with one of the RIF affiliated programs in the area, the Thomas Metcalf School or the Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy. Through this partnership, we would share RIF resources, donate books, and host Reading Is Key events. During our 12-year partnership with RIF, Kappa has helped get books into the hands of children and given them a choice of reading material through the distribution of more than 260,000 books. Our members also support the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation,