Award-Winning Service
Service Hallmark Awards were presented to 10 outstanding chapters during the 87th International Convention in Grapevine, Texas. Below is a sampling of some of their most inspiring projects. Kudos to all Phi Theta Kappa chapters for their hard work in implementing the International Service Program, Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight, and countless other service initiatives.
Blinn College
Brenham, Texas
The Beta Alpha Chapter had a blast from the past when they hosted the "Pink Ladies
Evening" as a Relay For Life® fundraiser and cancer awareness event. Sixteen "celebrity
hostesses" from their campus and community sold tickets and set up tables with a '50s,
'60s, or "pink" theme. The program featured an American Cancer Society representative,
a breast cancer survivor and an Elvis impersonator. The evening raised $1,100 for
Relay!
Butte College
Oroville, California
This chapter, chartered in 1999, invited their region to "Come Walk with Us" on
Make A Difference Day, October 23, 2004. Nine other chapters in the Nevada/California
Region joined them, raising more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Wesson, Mississippi
Going "skin-deep" with their comprehensive skin cancer awareness
program, this group of scholars reached out to their fellow college students, the chapters
in their region and third grade students in their community. In addition, they joined forces with health organizations to advocate for indoor tanning device regulations.
Ivy Tech State College-Southwest
Evansville, Indiana
For the Great American Smokeout®, Evansville members collected 486 pairs
of shoes and placed them in their Student Commons area with a banner that read,
"Tobacco Kills 486 People in Vanderburgh County Each Year." This attention-getter also
attracted contestants for their game show, "Wheel of Misfortune," yielding prizes to those
who could correctly answer tobacco-related questions. To ask legislators to support the
efforts of the American Cancer Society, the chapter officers also organized "Write Your
Representative Day."
Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, Michigan
After pledging to provide a local hospital with 400 mastectomy pillows, the Alpha Rho
Pi Chapter partnered with the local Zonta Club and began sewing the heart-shaped
pillows to be given to each mastectomy patient following surgery. A chapter sewing
bee was held, and news quickly spread throughout the community, bringing a $1,000
check from a local business to help purchase materials.
Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona
Prevention was the focus of this chapter's "Say No to Nicotine!" and "Practice Healthy
Habits" essay, photography and poster contests for fifth and sixth grade students in
their area. All participants received certificates and top entries won prizes donated by local businesses. The chapter also sponsored a unique fundraiser called "Polish Off Cancer" with members and alumni shining shoes at their college for donations, raising more than $400.
Saint Petersburg College- St. Petersburg Campus
St. Petersburg, Florida
The Eta Nu Chapter coordinated a quarterly inventory for six kitchens housed
in the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge® in Tampa, Florida. Says Trish Scott,
a volunteer coordinator for ACS, "Eta Nu is the only organization that has been willing to
take on the kitchen inventory, a project that has been on our wish list since we opened
three years ago." The Hope Lodge provides temporary housing for cancer patients while
they are undergoing treatment.
Schoolcraft College
Livonia, Michigan
The fight against cancer became personal for this chapter when one of their former
chapter officers was diagnosed with stagefour breast cancer. The chapter organized
a dinner and silent auction that raised more than $12,000 to help the out-of-work alumna
pay her medical bills.
Trinity Valley Community College
Athens, Texas
The Iota Alpha Chapter designed three age-appropriate anti-tobacco programs for
approximately 2,000 children, in kindergarten through sixth grade. Posters, videos, activity books, quizzes and prizes were provided for the children; chapter members also
exercised with the children and explained the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Their anti-tobacco campaign also reached all the way to Jamaica with the shipment of over 500 items.
Vincennes University
Jasper, Indiana
Chapter members wrote personal stories of how their lives were affected by cancer
and attached a photo of themselves or a loved one as part of the American Cancer
Society's Picture A CureSM campaign. These stories were bound and presented
to their state legislature. The chapter took their advocacy a step further by sponsoring
a banner on campus that was signed by faculty and students and then presented
by the chapter during the American Cancer Society's Lobby Day.
For more ideas, visit www.ptk.org/service.
