Altruism
“Around the world, members combine their energies and talents to enrich their lives and the lives of others through thousands of heart-warming community based altruistic projects. Because of these projects, it is a brighter day…” ~Alpha Delta Kappa Handbook
A Holiday Tradition Continues - 1955–2020
T
he San Francisco chapters of Alpha Delta Kappa are continuing an altruistic project which began 65 years ago in 1955 when California Beta invited Kappa and Mu, the other local chapters, to join in providing holiday gifts to hospitalized children with rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever was the national A∆K altruistic project. The chapters directed their efforts to Stanford Convalescent Hospital until 1964 when they began a successful bond with the Children’s Ward of San Francisco General Hospital. Each Year as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Council grew so did the group’s support for children and gifting them at the holiday season. The efforts were not just for children. The members looked forward to the annual holiday event in order to socialize with other San Francisco sisters and to dress up in their newest holiday attire. Sometimes this evening was the only opportunity to meet and greet all year -- this party was important.
The chapters rotated the hostess responsibilities so venues changed from California Golf Club, San Francisco Presidio Officers Club, a downtown San Francisco hotel and for the last ten years at the Basque Cultural Center. The festive evening would not be complete without entertainment so the hostess chapter arranged student participation. The sisters have enjoyed choirs, jazz combo, string ensembles, singa-longs and other wonderful student performances. In the past several years Toys for Tots sponsored by the United States Marines was the recipient of our famous Holiday Dinner toy collecting. Marines in full dress came to collect the gifts. In 2019 and 2020 the group supported the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program. Over the years many exact details have been lost but our spirit always prevailed; but these details are not as important as the fact that gifting children at the holiday season always meant another opportunity to bond with our Alpha Delta Kappa sisters.
Far Left: San Francisco firemen assembled bicycles donated by CA Golden Gate Council sisters. Left: Sisters from San Francisco chapters gather to collect toys for local children hospitalized and enjoy each other’s company in 1961.
KS Beta Epsilon
In spite of no in-person meetings this year, the long-standing altruism traditions of Kansas Beta Epsilon continued. Nearly $300 was donated to the “Go Red for Women” campaign of the American Heart Association.
18
GA Gamma Delta
Showing care and concern by giving to charities and organizations in Stephens County in Northeast Georgia was the plan for altruism activities of GA Gamma Delta. During A∆K month, the chapter extended their thanks to the first responders of Tocca and Stephens Counties by giving McDonald’s gift cards to every Sheriff’s Department deputy and every police officer. When the chapter budget was expended, members donated the funds needed. In December, the chapter honored the caregivers and staff at local assisted living and health facilities with fruit baskets and cards of thanks. In February, members sent Valentines with messages of love and encouragement to the facilities. K A P PA N • J U N E 2 0 2 1
