[DeltaEmi88]

I'm still a collegiate member, but I'll go ahead and take a shot at this one.

I'm a proud member of Delta Delta Delta, and I can honestly say that it's one of the only things that has pushed me to not only stay in college, but also thrive at the same time. My sisterhood has been incredibly supportive no matter what, and if there's a sister in need, then not only do I have their backs, but they have mine.

I had the opportunity to go to Texas with around 700 other Deltas this past February for a conference that consisted of the Risk Management chair, President, Member Development Chair and New member Educator from every chapter. While I was there, I really realized that being in a sorority is much more than just hanging out with the sisters from my chapter and doing events as a chapter. Our sorority is strong in the fact that when it really comes down to it, our chapters work together to build each other up on a national level, and we provide support for each other in a way that is literally indescribable. I met so many amazing women from all over the United States (and Canada!), and we all truly connected, even though most of us had never met before and we may never see each other again.

As for our philanthropy, Tri Delta has been incredibly proud to support St. Jude, and we have done so since 1999. In that time, we have had three major fundraising campaigns. The first was to raise $1 million in 4 years to build the Tri Delta Teen Room, and we raised that money in only 3 years. The second campaign was our 10 in 10 campaign, which was set up to help us raise $10 million in 10 years. This past June, it was revealed that we raised all $10 million in just FOUR years. That money built the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor at St. Jude. Our new goal is $15 in 5, which promises to raise $15 million dollars in just 5 years. In just one year, we've already raised $4 million dollars, and that money is going to rename one of the main clinics at St. Jude. We really love St. Jude, and every year, my chapter goes on a road trip to Memphis to visit the hospital and see why we raise so much money. It's nice knowing that we're helping out a cause that doesn't charge patients a single dime for cancer treatments that could otherwise bankrupt their families and that also pay for travel and lodging during the course of their treatment. St. Jude really does create miracles every day.

Not only do we help out St. Jude, but we also help our own sisters out as well. In our purpose, it states "To assist its members in every possible way", and we try to live up to that through the Tri Delta Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to members who are accomplished students, and to sisters in need of financial assistance. If a sister has a medical issue or some other financial crisis, then the foundation can help them out by awarding them a grant. It's just a nice reminder that if something goes wrong, Tri Delta is still there.

It's also given me an incredible respect for greek life in general, as well, because I have met so many amazing sorority and fraternity members that I consider to be lifelong friends, even though they may not be in my chapter or even in the same sorority as me. It's truly remarkable to know that greeks always stick together, because even though we may not wear the same letters, we're all there for the same main purpose. Our organizations may have entirely different rituals, symbols, and ideals, but in the end, we all went greek for a reason and we ended up where we were meant to be. If you're going through recruitment, I wish you the best of luck and I truly hope you find your home!