SFU Phi Delta Kappa Sorority continues Philanthropic Success throughout 2018-2019 Academic Year

Over $14,000 raised and 1,400 volunteer hours logged

Loretto, PA (05/23/2019) — Saint Francis University Phi Delta Kappa Sorority donated $5,972.67 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in March of this year. This donation has once again awarded Phi Delta Kappa as Wishmakers for the second year in a row benefiting Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania & West Virginia. These funds granted the wish of one special individual named Cole.

When eleven-year-old Cole says his favorite class in school is recess, one assumption can be made: he loves action. This spry, young Portage, PA resident had been diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma-a rare childhood brain tumor-so once Make-A-Wish promised to grant him a wish, he could think of only one thing: an action-packed trip to the Disneyland® Resort.

Cole and his family boarded a plane bound for California where adventure awaited. Young Cole could feel the excitement welling up inside him, and it only risked spilling over when the gates to Disneyland opened, revealing a world of delightful possibilities. Without hesitation, Cole and his family cruised over to Radiator Springs in gear for a big race against Lightning McQueen himself. Next was a trip to Toy Story Midway Mania! where he was greeted with an exuberant welcome by each and every one of his favorite Toy Story characters. Before the trip was over, Disney's Soarin' Around the World took Cole and his family on a simulated journey through the lofty mountains of the Swiss Alps, above the Great Pyramids of Egypt, across the famed Sydney Harbour, and over the picturesque Mount Kilimanjaro.

Even as he left the park, Cole was all smiles. He couldn't help but express his many thanks to Make-A-Wish for fulfilling this lifelong dream. And while all of it was a wonderful experience in and of itself, he was especially thankful because the trip also allowed him to meet his uncle-who lives in California-for the very first time. This, according to volunteers, "was all he could talk about."

Phi Delta Kappa was able to raise this money through fundraising efforts at their 4th Annual Wish Upon a Par Golf Outing, a Deal or No Deal style game show hosted for students on campus, a campus volleyball tournament, and simply going door-to-door on campus asking for spare change.

After granting Cole's wish, Phi Delta Kappa turned their efforts to the annual Relay for Life event hosted in State College. For the second year in a row, Phi Delta Kappa was the top fundraising team for this event raising $8,945 for the American Cancer Society. The sorority raised this amount by crowd funding through their personal friends and family and also held a fundraiser at the local Chipotle restaurant where a portion of the proceeds made by the company were donated to Relay for Life.

In total throughout the 2018-2019 academic year, the sorority has documented over 1,400 hours of service. Michelle Hildebrand of Ebensburg, PA is currently the sorority's President and Jennifer Schmith of Baltimore, MD was the sorority's Philanthropy Chairperson responsible for leading these philanthropic efforts. For these achievements Phi Detla Kappa was recognized for Excellence in Service at the 2019 Student Government Association (SGA) Student Involvement Awards.

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