SERVICE FOR SIGHT
Our chapter is committed to service and raising awareness for our philanthropy, Service for Sight, which has founded five schools around the United States for the visually impaired and promotes education on sight preservation. Delta Gamma has raised over $6,299,000 for Service for Sight grants. In 2023, our chapter raised over $45,000 for Service for Sight!
This philanthropy has been the focus of the Delta Gamma Fraternity since 1936, when a blind Delta Gamma member, Ruth Billow, petitioned to adopt providing aid to the blind as our philanthropy. Today 285 million people worldwide are blind or have visual impairments. Our goal as Delta Gamma’s is to help our philanthropy grow by funding sight preservation schools, training guide dogs, funding equipment to further sight mobility, supporting programs to provide accessible jobs for those with visual disabilities, and so much more. Since 1951, Delta Gamma is proud to be the longest continuous donor to the American Foundation for the Blind.
In addition to raising money for Service for Sight, our chapter is committed to serving the blind or visually impaired community in any way we can. During the year, we write letters to retirement homes and veteran communities and make paracord bracelets for active military and first responders. We also work with Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center to sponsor guide dogs in training and educate our members on guide dogs.
MEET OUR VP FOUNDATION!
Hey y’all!
My name is Lillian Roussel, and I have the privilege of serving as this year’s Vice President of Foundation for the Delta Sigma chapter at Auburn University. In 1873, our founders chose the motto “Do Good” to reflect our philanthropic mission to serve the community around us. Today, being a part of Delta Gamma means being a part of an organization whose foundation is built on service and selflessness. The girls of this chapter continue to show me just how much it means to bring joy to everything you do and help anyone in need. Growing up, I made so many memories while volunteering with my mom and sister at places like my local food bank or helping in assisted living centers around the holidays. This same commitment to service and the love our members have for our philanthropy is what made me feel truly connected to Delta Gamma.
The Delta Gamma Foundation supports Service for Sight, an organization that provides support and resources, as well as access and advocacy, for those who are part of the blind or visually impaired community. Each year, our chapter holds two main fundraising events: “Milk and Cookies” in the spring and “Anchor Splash” in the fall. The Auburn community comes together during these events to support Service for Sight through attendance, donations, and event participation. We are so thankful for all of the support we receive through these events!
In addition to our annual events, our chapter participates in year-round volunteer work to serve the blind and visually impaired community. In our service, we give back to many groups that are more at risk for visual impairments including the elderly and the military. In addition, we work with Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center to educate our members on guide dogs and support guide dogs in training to better aid the visually impaired. I feel so blessed to be a part of an organization that values service the way Delta Gamma does. We are truly dedicated to “doing good” in everything we do.
ITB,
Lillian Roussel
ANCHOR SPLASH
In the fall, our chapter hosts a synchronized swimming competition to raise money for Service for Sight. Our sisters work with teams that are made up of Auburn students by coaching and assisting in races. The event consists of a variety of competitions including relay races, synchronized routines, the biggest splash, and save a Delta Gamma. We greatly enjoy this competition and love getting the Auburn community involved all for our philanthropy. Hosted at the Martin Aquatics Center on campus, Auburn students and the community attend to watch the event. Last October, Anchor Splash raised over $27,000! We are so thankful for all the donations to our philanthropy, and we have such a fun time working with other campus organizations for a great cause.
MILK and COOKIES
In the spring, our chapter hosts our second philanthropy event, Milk and Cookies. Celebrating our love for sweets, we hold an all-you-can-eat event for Auburn students, friends, and family to enjoy delicious cookies in our chapter room. The sweets are served with a variety of beverages for guests to enjoy as much as they please. Our sisters love putting on this event which allows us to spend more time together for an amazing cause. In addition to the sweet treats, the Auburn Community has the opportunity to write letters to be sent to various military personnel serving overseas. Last February, Milk and Cookies raised over $14,000! We are so grateful for the support from the Auburn community through their attendance and donations that allows us to support Service for Sight.
Click here to learn more about our national philanthropy & all that Delta Gamma does with Service for Sight!