At the 1936 Convention, a blind DG named Ruth Billow suggested that Delta Gamma adopt Service for Sight as the Fraternity philanthropy. This Foundation was officially adopted in 1952, and since then, Delta Gamma has given $1,750,808 to 48 organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Scholarships were added to the Grants and Loans program in 1957. Each year, more than $300,000 is awarded in scholarships, fellowships and loans to recognize and assist outstanding members.
SERVICE
FOR SIGHT
Ruth Billow (pictured at left)
urged the Fraternity to expand Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind into international
causes. The Ruth Billow Memorial Fund provides financial aid to visually impaired
members and educational grants to Delta Gamma members who are pursuing careers in services
to the visually impaired.
There are
several ways DG's raise money for Service for Sight:
ANCHOR SPLASH®
One of the most fun
and susccessful ways is through the yearly Anchor Splash® each chapter
holds. At Anchor Splash, teams from other sororities, fraternities and campus
organizations pay to compete in a swim meet made up of events such as synchronized
swimming, relay races and individual competitions. Over 110 DG chapters hold an
annual Anchor Splash. A "Most Beautiful Eyes Contest" has been added at
some campuses as a way to raise even more money during Anchor Splash time.
ART OF THE EYE
This traveling art
exhibit is a collection of 54 mixed media by professional artists who are visually
impaired. It was conceived by sculptor Scott Nelson, who has retinitis pigmentosa
and developed by FORECAST Public Artworks for the Minnesota Museum of Art in Minneapolis
in 1986. In 1990, it was bought by the George Gund Foundation of Cleveland, OH and
given as a gift to the Delta Gamma Foundation.
Throughout
the year, DG chapters and alumnae contribute by participating in Labels for Education and
Box Tops for Education. By saving labels from Campbell's products, DG's help schools
get supplies. (Click here for more information on the program.)
General Mills has a similar program with its Box Tops for Education.
(Click here for more information.)
Members also contribute by collecting and donating used eyeglasses.
