Kappa Delta's National Philanthropies
Kappa Delta has four National philanthropies- the most of any sorority. We have given over $5 million to Prevent Child Abuse programs, helped the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A with projects such as attempting to make the Guinness Book of World Records by forming the largest friendship circle, support orthopaedic research with presenting research grants, and donated over $2.2 million for the Children's Hospital in Richmond, VA.
Our four national philanthropies are: Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, Prevent Child Abuse America, The Children's Hospital in Richmond, VA., and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Girl Scouts Of The USA
In 1998, Kappa Delta Sorority welcomed Girl Scouts of the USA as one of its national philanthropies. Through this one-of-a-kind partnership, Kappa Delta members are making great things happen in the lives of countless girls across the country.
Kappa Delta collegians and alumnae serve as mentors and volunteers, reinforcing our common values of honesty, integrity, friendship and leadership. Collegiate and alumnae chapters serve Girl Scouts in their area by hosting Dove uniquely ME! events, National Girls Day celebrations and other activities such as campus tours, community service projects and sporting events. Girl Scouts who take part in Kappa Delta-sponsored events earn a special Kappa Delta badge.
Further, the Kappa Delta Foundation contributes $10,000 annually to the Girl Scout Gold Award program, providing each Girl Scout Young Woman of Distinction award recipient a $1,000 scholarship toward her college tuition. Hailing from across the nation, the honorees embody the outstanding leadership, personal development and commitment necessary to earn this prestigious honor.
Prevent Child Abuse America
Since 1981, Kappa Delta has been a proud supporter of Prevent Child Abuse America, an organization founded by the late Donna Stone, one of our own Kappa Delta sisters. To date, Kappa Delta has donated over $7.1 million to help prevent child abuse in our country.
Thousands of KDs in hundreds of communities nationwide host "Shamrock Events" every year to raise money for national and local child abuse prevention efforts. Events are as varied and creative as the groups that sponsor them. Golf and softball tournaments, fun runs, chili cook-offs, war-of-the wings contests, spaghetti dinners, twister contests, children's art shows, doughnut sales, "teeter-totter-a-thons," fashion shows, and paintball tournaments are just a few of the fundraisers held by Kappa Delta chapters and alumnae associations. We encourage you to participate in local Shamrock Events to join Kappa Delta in making great things happen in the lives of children.
Children's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia
Kappa Delta's support of the Children's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia dates back to 1921. The sorority became interested in the work being done in our founding state by William Tate Graham, M.D., a pioneer in the field known for treating polio victims. Dr. Graham had become renowned for his revolutionary approaches and never turned away a patient for their inability to pay.
Beginning with our initial pledge of $1,200 to support two beds, Kappa Delta's commitment to Children's Hospital over the years has never wavered. The sorority's monetary and tangible gifts have totaled more than $2.2 million. Contributions have gone to develop a motion clinic, purchase hospital equipment, medical braces and neurosurgical instruments, provide playground equipment and purchase vans to transport patients. Local chapters and alumnae groups also sponsor the annual Halloween and Easter parties and assist with the Teddy Bear Toss.
Orthopedic Research Awards
Kappa Delta's partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) evolved out of its work with Children's Hospital in Richmond, Va. After getting to know children with crippling diseases, Kappa Deltas wanted to make a difference not only in treatment, but in prevention.
In 1947, the sorority established the Kappa Delta Research Fellowship in Orthopedy (now known as the Kappa Delta Orthopaedic Research Awards). Starting with a $1,000 contribution in 1950, Kappa Delta now presents three $20,000 awards annually to leading orthopaedic researchers, for a total of over $1.1 million since the partnership began.
Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of orthopaedic research, the Kappa Delta Orthopaedic Research Awards have gone to researchers who have made key discoveries pertaining to bone grafting, treatment of polio, surgical correction of scoliosis, knee replacement, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, arthorscopic surgery--in short, most of the leading orthopaedic advancements of the past 60 years.