"Life is not taking in only; it is giving out too. It is giving ourselves-- freely-- to other people, giving ourselves in comradeship, in understanding, in joy, in love."
-Alpha Sigma Alpha Ritual
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC HISTORY
In 1976, Alpha Sigma Alpha National headquarters announced that the Special Olympics would be the national philanthropic project. Since then it has taken several projects under its wing. Each year, the Special Olympics touches lives in hundreds of communities across the nation and around the world, and each year Alpha Sigma Alpha members make a difference to this important organization.
In 1989, Alpha Sigma Alpha set up the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. Initially it was a scholarship-granting body, but it has branched out to support a number of different interests with the intentions of providing opportunities for service, leadership, and lifelong learning.
In 1990, the S. June Smith Center, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and named after Alpha Sigma Alpha member S. June Smith (Kappa Kappa Chapter), rounded out its philanthropic interests. The S. June Smith Center supports children with disabilities in achieving their potential and promotes their full participation within their families, schools and communities in Central Pennsylvania.
In 2012, Girls on the Run (GOTR) and Alpha Sigma Alpha established an official partnership. This partnership marks GOTR as our newest national philanthropy.
On a local level, Beta Nu also supports the Toys for Tots program, Calloway County's Relay for Life, Western Kentucky Polar Bear Plunge, and various philanthropies for Murray State's other fraternities and sororities.
TOYS FOR TOTS DINNER
Toys for Tots is our annual Christmas dinner held for financially challenged families in the Murray-Calloway County area. All of the money raised from fundraising events goes toward purchasing presents and a meal for selected families. The sisters of Beta Nu shop for and wrap all of the presents, provide a Christmas dinner and assist Santa Claus in disturbing the presents. Held in early December, this is a wonderful start to the Christmas season! This past year's event touched 60 special children.
TEETER FOR TOTS
Teeter for Tots is our spring philanthropy event. The Beta Nu chapter teeter totters in the middle of campus for 24 hours accepting donations to raise money for the S. June Smith Center. During the day, we hold a luncheon where a special food item and goodies are sold to also raise money for the S. June Smith Center. We invite other MSU organizations to teeter with us, play games and take on the Tater Tot Eating Contest. This is an exciting event that the whole campus loves getting involved in!
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls 3rd through 8th grade. The program combines training for the GOTR 5K running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. Girls on the Run aims to empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices and embrace their gifts.
The core curriculum of Girls on the Run addresses many aspects of girls' development- including their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. The same is true for Alpha Sigma Alpha as it relates to women. With common goals, values and a commitment to developing girls and women, the partnership between Alpha Sigma Alpha and Girls on the Run is a perfect match.
To learn even more about Alpha Sigma Alpha's new philanthropy, please visit girlsontherun.org
