GreekChat.com Forums - Alpha Sigma Tau partners with Habitat for Humanity

News Release
June 22, 2004

Alpha Sigma Tau chooses Habitat for Humanity as national service project.
Sorority looks to involve its many collegiate, alumnae chapters.

Savannah, Ga., June 22, 2004. Amid the jumble of workshops, business
meetings and sisterhood activities at their annual convention, Alpha Sigma
Tau members will stay true to their commitment to service, declaring Habitat
for Humanity International Alpha Sigma Tau’s national service project.

Habitat for Humanity is a natural partner for Alpha Sigma Tau, said Patricia
Simmons, national president, who will preside at the sorority’s annual
convention in Savannah. Habitat’s mission to end poverty housing by making
safe and decent shelter a matter of conscience, regardless of political,
social or religious difference, mirrors our beliefs and motto of being
active, self-reliant, and trustworthy.

The announcement provides Alpha Sigma Tau members and alumnae a range of
partnering opportunities, from working with Habitat Campus Chapters on their
campuses; to working with nearly 2,000 Habitat affiliates across the United
States; to working with Collegiate Challenge, school break house builds held
across the country; to Global Village trips, working with families in need
around the world.

Because we have chapters in many of the communities in which Habitat already
works, this enables Alpha sigma Tau to establish a national service project
that provides service at a local level, says Simmons. With this, collegiate
chapters and alumnae groups can give back to their own communities, they can
work in their own back yards.

The partnership significantly expands the philanthropy of the
Birmingham-based sorority, which also supports Pine Mountain Settlement
School in Harlan, KY as its national philanthropy. Alpha Sigma Tau national
council members said they might blend the support by doing some homebuilding
in the Harlan community to compliment the work with the environmental
education center.

Among potential Habitat partnership projects are:
• Assisting in building a new home with partner Habitat family
• Creating housewarming gifts
• Registering volunteers at the construction sites
• Baby-sitting for children of homeowners and volunteers
• Speaking about he work and mission of Habitat for Humanity International
• Starting a Habitat Campus Chapter and becoming active members
• Writing about a Habitat experience for local or collegiate papers

We’re so proud to be affiliated with such an outstanding group of women,
says Sandra Graham, director for special projects in Habitat’s U.S.
Affiliates Department. Their service ethic and commitment to making a
difference are so strong, and it adds another voice to Habitat’s growing
chorus that everyone deserves a simple, decent place to live.

The opportunities to get involved are nearly endless, says Simmons.
Especially with programs such as Habitat’s Women Build, which encourage
women to get involved the construction of Habitat houses. Women-built
projects such as these will provide our members an opportunity to learn
construction in a supportive environment and to develop skills they can use
throughout their lives.

Members also say the partnership will allow them to leave something behind
that has such meaning as a home for a hardworking and committed family. The
work itself would be rewarding, says Simmons. Getting to the know the
family, the volunteers; but being able to stand and see your work and
knowing the change it will bring—that’s pretty special.

About Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority was founded November 4, 1899, at Eastern Michigan
University, Ypsilanti, Michigan. The purpose of Alpha Sigma Tau is to
promote the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members. The
sorority offers membership programming with an emphasis on academic
achievement, community service, leadership development, and personal growth
opportunities. www.alphasigmatau.org

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is a Christian
ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the end of 2005,
Habitat will have built its 200,00th house and more than one million people
will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are buying through
no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. www.habitat.org

**I'm really looking forward to getting involved with this. It's a great hands-on project and (in my opinion) makes community service more "real" than just a fundraiser alone.
PsychTau