SPEECH AND HEARING

In 1954, Delta Zeta's Convention body voted to make the cause of speech and hearing loss one of our national philanthropies.

Delta Zeta members volunteer many hours for speech and hearing organizations in their communities, such as tutoring children with hearing challenges or spearheading fundraising initiatives.

Donations collected assist with speech programs and provide equipment and devices to those with hearing challenges. Funds also support programs aimed at hearing loss prevention.

In addition, Delta Zeta has national partnerships focused on speech and hearing-related causes with The Starkey Hearing Foundation, Gallaudet University and the House Research Institute.

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Since 1954, Delta Zeta Sorority has shared a partnership with Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world's only university with undergraduate programs accessible to hearing-impaired students. Delta Zeta endowed the Delta Zeta Scholarship Fund and the Fine Arts Endowment Fund. In 1995, the Delta Zeta Dance Studio was dedicated.

Donations to the Delta Zeta Foundation that are designated for Gallaudet University are used to fund Gallaudet Scholarships or other funding needs for the University, including endowment support for the library and performing arts. Gallaudet University manages the funds donated, selects the scholarship recipients from the University, and administers the disbursement of scholarship funds.

To learn more about Gallaudet University, visit them at http://www.gallaudet.edu/.

THE PAINTED TURTLE CAMP

The Painted Turtle's mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Delta Zeta supports The Painted Turtle camp as one of its national philanthropies through fundraising, donating items on The Painted Turtle's wish list, and our collegiate and alumnae members who volunteer their time to the camp, helping the children that it serves.

The Painted Turtle supports children's medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provides care, education, and respite for their families. There is no billing department. All campers and families attend free of charge. The Painted Turtle camp is associated with Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall camps.

Visit The Painted Turtle camp at http://www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle/.

STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION

The Starkey Hearing Foundation's Mission is to change the social consciousness of hearing and hearing matters through education and research; while providing the gift of hearing to those in need around the world. Visit The Starkey Hearing Foundation at http://starkeyhearingfoundation.org.

Starkey/Build-A-Bear Project

Delta Zeta alumnae and collegiate members can help us provide bears with hearing aid attachments from Build-A-Bear so that children at an upcoming hearing mission can have a 'furry friend just like them.'

Delta Zeta also supports The Starkey Hearing Foundation through fundraising efforts and our members who volunteer at various Starkey Hearing Mission events.

Service to others enriches the world. The Delta Zeta Creed says, "To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, May I give graciously, Of what is mine." Our national philanthropies, supported by both collegiate and alumnae chapters, are speech and hearing and The Painted Turtle camp.

Through Delta Zeta's philanthropy of speech and hearing, our chapters support local and national speech and hearing organizations, volunteering many hours and generously fundraising for this cause.

The Painted Turtle's mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and Delta Zeta members volunteer at the camp as well as raise money for this philanthropy.

Delta Zeta knows the power of women to effect positive change, and has proven it from our earliest volunteer work during World War I to the efforts given today to foster speech and hearing programs and support The Painted Turtle. Delta Zeta members take change into their own hands by volunteering wherever they see a need.

National Philanthropy

"To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, May I give graciously, Of what is mine."