a look back
Fulfilling a Need As Alpha Gams, we pride ourselves on our passion when it comes to philanthropy. Maybe your chapter’s philanthropy event was your favorite part of your collegiate experience, or as an alumnae member you look forward to your alumnae chapter/club’s volunteer opportunity. No matter your age, philanthropy, service and giving to others are cornerstones of our Fraternity. Alpha Gamma Delta has given each of us something very special, and for some, it has given us the confidence and purpose to create something much larger than ourselves. As we look back, let’s read about our dear sister, Margaret Moffat Toy, Alpha Epsilon–Westminster College, a courageous woman who took a simple idea and made it into a nation-wide philanthropic movement. The following is an excerpt from the 1990 winter issue of the Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly: The country’s first Meals on Wheels program may not be in existence without the late Margaret Moffat Toy, Alpha Epsilon– Westminster College. That isn’t the only organization she helped establish; she was the founder of the Fraternity's Philadelphia Alumnae Club, as well. Margaret served Alpha Gamma Delta as Pennsylvania State Chairman, Province III Vice President and the Alpha Rho Executive Council Chairman. She wore the Arc with Diamonds. Margaret was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and attended Philadelphia public schools. Margaret was a minister’s daughter and a graduate of Westminster College. She started her career as a research chemist at Sharp & Dohme and pursued her career as a chemist until 1925 when she became interested in social work. Margaret wanted to help others less fortunate, so she began to volunteer at the Philadelphia Lighthouse Settlement and later went on to work as a staff family social worker. After her experience in the field, in 1962 Margaret earned her bachelor of arts degree in social work from the University of Philadelphia. In 1954, Margaret directed the first Meals on Wheels, an idea that was first initiated at the Philadelphia Lighthouse Settlement. The program provided hot, nutritious meals to those who would otherwise do without. Thanks to Margaret, Meals on Wheels has spread to every single state in the nation. Margaret Moffat Toy, 92 entered Chapter Grand on October 15, 1989. Considered the “mother” of the Meals on Wheels program and a true philanthropist, Margaret was a dedicated sister Alpha Gamma Delta will always remember. 32 quarterly | winter 2017