Philanthropy

Philanthropy

Zeta Tau Alpha adopted the Susan G. Komen for the Cure as their national philanthropy in 1992, but expanded into their own Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation to promote breast cancer awareness and research in 2004. Since 1992, the Fraternity has worked to promote education, screening, research, and treatment of the disease. ZTA Chapters across the nation help to raise funds and awareness for this foundation. Theta Zeta holds many events and activities throughout the year in order to raise funds for the ZTA Foundation.

Theta Zeta's fall fundraiser is an annual "Think Pink" week, this week dubbed "Homecoming Goes Pink" in accordance with Wofford's Homecoming festivities. The Sunday night before our fundraising week, sisters "pink out" Wofford's campus with pink ribbons, flyers, chalk writing, and posters in order to raise awareness. Sisters sell tickets to students, faculty, and staff to a cookout on campus where a breast cancer speaker shares her experience with our attendees. This year, we were fortunate to have Dr. Colleen Keith, president of local Spartanburg Methodist College, who is currently battling breast cancer, share her experiences. The week culminated the Homecoming football game and a special alumni tailgate. Gibbs stadiium was decorated with pink balloons, and ZTA alumni stopped by our tailgate spot for food, catching up with former and current Theta Zeta members, and to check out a special jewelry fundraiser.

After many years of holding a See-Saw-A-Thon, the sisters of Theta Zeta decided it was time for a change and a fundraiser that the whole campus could get excited about! In the spring of 2010, we held what would become ZTA's annual Shag-a-Thon! Sisters sold tickets to the main event, which occurred in the 3rd phase of the beautiful senior Village apartments on campus. Attendees shagged the night away to beach music, took part in dancing contests, line dances, and enjoyed food and fun with their fellow Wofford students. The day of Shag-a-Thon, we invited Wofford students, faculty and staff to enjoy a healthy "Lunch on the Lawn" at Burwell. Part of this lunch is a silent auction, with items to suit all ages and interests! This spring, the Shag-a-Thon festivites raised over $21,000 for the ZTA Foundation!

Our philanthropy is very close to the hearts of members of Theta Zeta- we have three girls whose mothers are currently in remission for breast cancer. In addition to service as a chapter, our members also fulfill individual philanthropic pursuits. Two of our members, junior Mackenzie Sawicki and sophomore Martha Lamar are planning to walk with their mothers in the Komen 3-day walk. In order ot raise funds, the girls planned and executed a "Think Pink, Drink Pink" lemonade stand where they passed out pink lemonade around campus and took donations for their cause. Last summer junior Ryann Kroske made and delivered 3 bags of pillows for breast cancer patients to use during their surgery recovery.

Additionally, sisters are responsible for completing a monthly service requirement within the community of Spartanburg. Activities include volunteering at the local nursing home for special holiday occasions, working at the soup kitchen, participating in on campus events such as Terrier Play Day, the Halloween Carnival, and the annual Easter Egg Hunt, among many other possibilities.

As a part of Wofford's effort to go green, ZTA has adopted a "Spot of Pride" on campus that is cleaned, weeded, and mulched on a regular basis by sisters. This initiative allows sisters to work together to make a brighter, greener future.