Philanthropy

The sisters of Chi Sigma Alpha chose to dedicate themselves towards aiding underprivileged and disabled children. We feel that we have been lucky enough in life to have been given the opportunity to achieve so many of our own aspirations and that it is important to give back to the community, specifically the underprivileged children. With this desire in mind, Chi Sigma Alpha National Sorority, Inc. has chosen the Make-A-Wish Foundation as our national philanthropy. As the Foundation has chapters nationwide, we believe that this will provide each future chapter of Chi Sigma Alpha to work closely with a local Foundation's chapter enabling them to impact their own community as well as contributing to the national Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life threatening diseases since 1980. Working with treating physicians, the Foundation grants a child's wish to enrich the life of the child and the family. The children are encouraged to be as creative with their wish creation with the help of the wish teams. Children have wished to experience specific occupations, to visit various locations around the world, or the opportunity to meet a celebrity. In 2007, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted 13,006 wishes nationwide. The sisters of Chi Sigma Alpha are proud to have financially contributed to aiding in the granting of the wishes of children in the Northwest. If you would like more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation or wish to nominate a child to have their wish granted, visit the national website at www.WISH.org.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has also personally touched the lives of our sisters. One sister was Ka Eun Chong (Founder, Alpha Chapter). Her cousin, Eun Bin, was only 17 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A young woman, yet to experience life, faced a very difficult struggle, both emotionally and physically. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over 50, more than twice Eun Bin's age. The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown is also very difficult to catch in the early stages as there are often only mild to no symptoms. Eun Bin prepared to fight the fifth leading cause of death to women. She has endured two surgeries and seven series of chemotherapy. During this difficult period in her life, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Eun Bin her wish - the simple joy of time with family on a vacation in Hawaii. It was a time she truly cherished and enjoyed, surrounded by her family. Her courage and strength at the tender age of 17 is truly admirable.

We'd like to thank the Chong family for sharing their story. Having the Make-A-Wish Foundation make such a meaningful impact on the lives of our sisters and their families continues to motivate us and helps us gain a greater understanding for how important an organization such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation truly is.

Currently, the Alpha Chapter at the University of Washington in Seattle organizes an annual benefit show that is open to the public. Music 4 Life aims to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation while showcasing the talents of community members. Our goal is to raise enough money to grant one child's wish; at the end of August of 2005, the average cost of a wish was $6200. In addition to dedicating their time to coordinating the event each year, members of Chi Sigma Alpha's Dance Team also dedicates their time to choreographing and practicing a routine. Performances have previously included singers and dancers as young as six years of age. This event is truly only possible and can only be successful with the support from our community. For more information regarding Music 4 Life, please feel free to contact the sisters of the Alpha Chapter.

In addition to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation nationally, we believe in giving back to and supporting our local communities as well. The Alpha Chapter has set a high standard for future chapters by participating in numerous other community services. They are involved with the Educaid program at the University of Washington's Experimental Educational Unit, a program dedicated to children with neurological disabilities. During the holiday season of 2007, the sisters participated in an Adopt-A-Family program. Inspired and touched by the struggle of a single mother of three (two children of her own and a niece she has taken in), a survivor of domestic violence and a recovering addict, that has returned to school to pursue a career in social work. The sisters have chosen to continue and maintain a relationship with the family. They have since dedicated fundraisers to aide in the purchase of groceries and educational items for the children. In addition, the sisters dedicate their time to various worthy causes and fundraisers. To learn more about these amazing sisters' efforts to make a difference in their community, please visit the Alpha Chapter's website.