Chapter Philanthropy
Philanthropy is one of the most important aspects of being an MSU Kappa. We are always asking ourselves the question, "How can we help others?" Kappa Kappa Gamma’s national philanthropy is Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), an association that focuses on providing young children with books. The Delta Gamma chapter’s local philanthropy is the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, an organization we work with to encourage literacy and reading. We hold many philanthropic and community service events throughout the year. Some of these events include reading to kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, The Very Hungry Kappapillar, Kappa ArKade, and Kappa Karnival events. These events are aimed to raise money and support for RIF along with other organizations we support.
The Very Hungry Kappapillar
In past years, our chapter would host The Very Hungry Kappapiller, a charity pie-eating contest based on the famous children’s book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. Teams of 5 within MSU Greek Life would sign up to race against the clock to finish their slice of pie. The team with the lowest combined total combined time won a large engraved trophy, proof of their pie-eating superiority. Throughout the event, spectators donated money toward jars labeled with certain Kappa names and the top 4 highest fundraising jars were the fan-selected Kappas to compete in the final pie-eating round against each other. The proceeds from this event would benefit Reading is Fundamental and the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing.
Kappa ArKade
This past fall, Kappa decided to discontinue hosting our annual pie-contest and begin a new annual tradition to support our philanthropy. The first annual Kappa ArKade event was held in November at the ZapZone in Lansing, MI. All MSU Greek Life members had the opportunity to purchase a ticket which gives access to three hours of unlimited glow in the dark mini-golf, laser tag, bumper cars, trampolines, as well as pizza and refreshments. The proceeds from this event supported Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Over two hundred people attended this event and our chapter cannot wait to continue this new tradition next fall.
Kappa Karnival
Along with establishing our new Kappa ArKade annual philanthropy event, next year we are incorporating another new annual philanthropy event called Kappa Karnival. The first annual event was supposed to be held in the spring, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are postponing the event to next year. Kappa Karnival is a two-hour event that will be held at the Kappa House in the fall. There will be coney dogs, root beer floats, along with other fun carnival treats and games. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, which raises money for funding programs for our members and need and the rest of the proceeds will go to The Kiefer Foundation, an organization that raises awareness for distracted driving and highway safety. We are honored to bring the legacy of the Kiefer Foundation to our chapter and spread awareness for this important cause.
Reading Party
Every spring, the Delta Gamma chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma hosts a “Reading Party” at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. Within this event, we incorporate Reading is Fundamental values with a local organization. In preparation for the event, we host a community-wide children’s book drive throughout the month of March and the chapter that donates the most books wins Insomnia Cookies. Then, as an entire chapter, we take those books and travel to the Boys and Girls Club for the morning where we have several fun stations set up to celebrate the fun of reading! Each year a new theme is selected and last spring the kids loved our “Carnival” theme. During the reading party, there is a group book reading, bookmark making, dance parties, bingo, popcorn, and more. At the end of the event, the kids are allowed to select three books to take home with them to make their own to inspire their passion for reading. Last spring we donated over 330 children’s books to the Boys and Girls Club and had an absolute blast playing and reading with the kids.
COVID-19 Relief
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our chapter was unable to host a Reading Party event with the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing this spring. However, this did not hold the members of our chapter from giving back to the community. Although philanthropy events and volunteer opportunities for the spring semester could no longer happen, members of our chapter worked to spread positivity in their communities in some way. Active members of our chapter continued to gather school supplies and books to bring to school and donate in the fall. Additionally, members wrote letters and created many positivity posters for their local hospitals for COVID-19 patients and healthcare workers impacted by this pandemic.
On top of our own events, members of the Delta Gamma chapter strive to get involved in other charities that we are passionate about, as well as participating in the philanthropies of other Greek and non-Greek organizations. Philanthropy is an important part of our organization and we are very proud of our involvement in the community.
Organizations We Support
Reading is Fundamental
Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
Boys and Girls Club of Lansing
The Kiefer Foundation
