Chapter Projects
Hands Across the Border: Almost twenty years ago, DKG Sisters in Area XVI were asked to mentor the new DKG Chapters in Baja, Mexico: Alpha in Tijuana and Beta in Ensenada. Friendships were formed between the U.S. Sisters and their Baja Sisters and informal fundraisers began in order to give assistance to the Baja teachers to attend DKG conferences. These small fundraiser events grew in popularity and soon Hands Across the Border became an Area XVI luncheon event with a yearly attendance of nearly 100 DKG Sisters from Mexico and California. Gamma Chi assists annually in the planning and execution of the event as well as donating numerous educational supplies. Reality Changers Supporters: Members of Gamma Chi provide support to the Reality Changers staff and students with donations of healthy foods, educational materials, money, and time. Reality Changers is a locally started organization which transforms lives by providing youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the academic support, financial assistance, and leadership training to become college graduates. To learn more about Reality Changers click here to read a recent San Diego Union Tribune article. USO Welcome Bags: Members of Gamma Chi collect, organize, pack, and deliver "welcome" bags for military men and women visiting the San Diego USO. Supporting Working Teachers: The original idea to support the working members was helping to set-up classrooms. Over time this changed to giving our working teacher members support in the form of gift baskets and school supplies. Before the basket contents were purchased, each retired chapter member is contacted and informed of the idea and then asked if she was willing to participate. The beginning Gamma Chi “basket” idea grew as it evolved into the “Survival Kit.” Diane Sullivan created a note, based on her experiences, to be attached to each kit. Almost every retired member donated. The amount was optional and varied from $5 – $20. Members deliver gift baskets to working members not in attendance. Holiday Help for the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services at Cuyamaca College: Members of Gamma Chi collect gift cards for necessities like food, toiletries or gas to be given to college student foster youth and single parents in the Unlimited Potential and CARE programs based at Cuyamaca College. Both programs provide financial assistance, mentoring, counseling and job readiness and provide significant benefits to these vulnerable students. In the past, members have also helped to decorate the hall for a holiday dinner at which they had a chance to meet many of the individuals who received the gift cards. L.I.F.E. Grant: With the aid of a L.I.F.E. Grant matched by Gamma Chi, both new and gently used books for the young children of single parents enrolled in Extended Opportunity Programs & Services at Cuyamaca Community College are purchased and delivered in time for fall semester start up. These children’s books are made freely available in the E.O.P.S. Office where the parents go for support and assistance. Gamma Chi follows this up during the holiday season with chapter member donated gift cards for essential goods and services to help further support these single parent families. Gathering Gamma Chi Memories: Chapter members, new and old, are working together to gather up pictures, documents, and memorabilia reflecting our chapter's history. Recognizing and Awarding Outstanding Student Teachers: Each winter, chapter members look for student teachers who show exceptional promise as young women educators. These individuals are invited to apply for the Gamma Chi Outstanding Student Teacher Award. The winning student teacher is then put forward as a candidate for the Area XVI Outstanding Student Teacher Award. Winning student teachers at the area level are also awarded by DKG California. |
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