ARLINGTON, Texas, June 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Tri Delta, a national women's fraternity, has received the "Collegiate Organization of the Year" award for its incomparable work to support its national philanthropy partner, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(r).
Tri Delta was presented with this coveted award on June 23 at the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), the fundraising organization of St. Jude, in Memphis, Tenn. The special event included presenters such as Marlo Thomas and Tony Thomas, the children of Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude.
Since Tri Delta's national partnership with St. Jude began in 1999, more than 130 Tri Delta chapters across the nation have raised $4 million by hosting fundraising events for St. Jude. Tri Delta's first major commitment, to raise $1 million to fund a "Teen Room" in which patients can escape the daily realities of treatment, was exceeded a full year ahead of schedule.
With the incredible success of reaching its initial $1 million goal for St. Jude, Tri Delta took its philanthropy partnership to the next level in 2006, by announcing that its members would raise an astounding $10 million in 10 years to name the new patient care floor in the Chili's Care Center.
Tri Delta's $10 million pledge will mark one of the largest donations ever made to any charity by a Greek-affiliated organization. To date, Tri Delta is on pace to conquer its aggressive goal with the same passion it has demonstrated before, having already raised more than $2.9 million toward the $10 million, which is well ahead of schedule.
"As an ongoing partner of St. Jude and ALSAC, Tri Delta and its members continually demonstrate a passion and an unfailing commitment to help our efforts in fighting children's cancer and other catastrophic diseases," says John P. Moses, ALSAC CEO. "This award honors the unrivaled work and unprecedented level of support that this amazing group of women has shown."
Currently, more than 90 percent of Tri Delta's collegiate chapters are actively involved in supporting the St. Jude partnership through innovative philanthropic programming and enthusiastic fundraising efforts. In previous years, Tri Delta has been honored with the Third Party Organization of the Year Award for its outstanding work with St. Jude.
About Tri Delta
Founded in 1888, Tri Delta is leading the Greek community through our passion for progress and visionary thinking. Through partnerships with nationally-recognized organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, award-winning publications like The Trident, and innovative collegiate and alumnae initiatives, Tri Delta is committed to leveraging our timeless values to revitalize the sorority experience. For more information, please visit www.tridelta.org.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.