Foundation

Service for Sight

Delta Gammas at UVA are extremely committed to supporting our Foundation through various service ventures right here in the Charlottesville community. Since Delta Gamma's official philanthropy is Service for Sight, UVA DGs have teamed up with the local Recording for the Dyslexic and Blind organization to help spread the word about audio books and other resources though massive mailing and publicity projects. After many chapter meetings we create touch-and-feel coloring book pages made from yarn, puffy paint, and other tactile materials for visually impaired children in the Virginia area. This year we also re-launched an educational program designed for 1st graders in order to teach kids about proper eye safety and care, and teams of DGs visit local elementary schools to present this important information in a fun and engaging way.

Perhaps our most exciting service activity, however, is our partnership with the Martha Jefferson retirement community. As part of Delta Gamma's Golden Anchor program, UVA DGs head over to the Martha Jefferson house every week for tea and also orchestrate numerous other activities such as bi-weekly music nights, DG formal fashion shows, and the highly anticipated DG and Martha Jefferson House annual dance! Both the DG girls and the retirees truly enjoy spending time together, and our collaboration creates the perfect setting for DGs to support not only the University community, but the greater Charlottesville community as well.

Philanthropy

UVA DGs also do our part to support the Delta Gamma Foundation financially through our two main philanthropies: the DG Anchorslam Tournament and the DG AnchorMan Pageant. The Anchorslam Tournament is a 3-on-3 basketball challenge in which numerous fraternities, sororities,and other organizations around UVA enter teams in hopes of winning the title "Anchorslam champion." Even for the most amateur team, however, the afternoon is always a blast, with tons of food, prizes, music, and of course Delta Gamma fun! AnchorMan was first introduced in Spring 2008, and it has proven to be a great success from the very beginning. Gentlemen representing different UVA organizations compete for the title of Delta Gamma Anchorman in an event modeled after a beauty pageant including talent, fashion, and interview rounds. In addition to the pageant itself, contestants also earn points through house decorating, t-shirt sales, and a "Most Beautiful Eyes" penny wars competition. All the proceeds from Anchorslam and Anchorman benefit the Delta Gamma Foundation.

Broader Community Involvement

DGs also participate in other broader community fundraising ventures as well. This past year, for example, Delta Gamma raised $13,000 to benefit both Children's Miracle network and Dance Marathon at the University of Virginia. Delta Gamma managed to raise more money for Dance Marathon and the Children's Miracle than any other single organization at the University of Virginia has ever raised in the past. Delta Gamma girls also do their part to actively contribute to and promote various activities sponsored by the Greek councils whether it be helping with the Inter-Greek Habitat House or participating in Charlottesville road clean-up efforts.

When it comes to service both specifically for the Delta Gamma Foundation and for the University community as a whole, UVA DGs are definitely on board!