Sunday, Sept. 24 will mark Kappa Delta’s first ever philanthropy event on West Chester University’s Campus. Dubbed “Shamrock Events” nationwide, these events have raised over $16.8 million benefiting PCAA, Prevent Child Abuse America, since 1983.
Taking place in the Lawrence parking lot from 1-4 p.m. and in Ehinger Gym if it rains, the Theta Omicron chapter of Kappa Delta has created a “KD Cookout” for their first event to benefit PCAA, one of their two national philanthropies.
The whole concept for the event came about after wanting to do some sort of sporting event following a tailgate; cut the sports event, and here we are: KD Cookout! The event will have a tailgate vibe featuring a buffet, corn hole competition, yard games, raffles, music and more.
I asked Nicole Brisgone—a sophomore and part of the Alpha Class—why she’s so excited about Kappa Delta’s first Shamrock Event: “This is our first big event on campus; I am excited to get our name out there and show everyone the hard work our chapter has done to make this event successful.”
Brisgone also had a bit to say about why she thinks KD chose a cookout: “We decided to go with a cookout theme so that we could not only get our campus involved, but have members of the community involved.”
Even better than the actual event is the cause it’s benefiting: the prevention of child abuse. While KD raises funds for PCAA nationally, each chapter also selects a local beneficiary to receive the majority of the funds; Theta Omicron chose Family Service of Chester County. This organization serves single parents in Chester County, working to educate them about and prevent child abuse and provide them with financial assistance.
As for PCAA, the organization was founded by a Kappa Delta herself, Donna Stone. PCAA works to increase public awareness and garner attention about the perils of child abuse, advocate for policy change promoting prevention and put on educational programs about safely caring for a child for parents and caregivers.
On top of all that, tickets are being sold for only $5 ahead of time in Sykes and on the academic quad and $7 at the event. Of the funds KD raises, 80 percent goes to their local beneficiary—Family Service of Chester County—and 20 percent goes to their national philanthropy, PCAA. Thus, while both organizations are great, it’s always nice to know your money is going back into the local community.
So, who doesn’t love tailgating, especially when it’s tailgating for a tailgate’s sake? As Brisgone said, “KD Cookout will be a great way to relax on a Sunday afternoon with our fellow West Chester students and the West Chester community.”
Lauren Detweiler is a fourth-year student majoring in English writings with minors in web technology & applications and communication studies. She can be reached at LD838069@wcupa.edu.