Greek life is known for their philanthropy events that aid various sorts of organizations. The most recent Greek event is Tri-Sigma’s annual Zumbathon. The Zumbathon is being hosted on Sunday, Nov. 13 in the Lund Aerobics room. The money raised from the Zumbathon supports the March of Dimes.
Tri-Sigma is a national sorority that wishes to connect women through bonds of friendship and leadership.
Tri-Sigma will be hosting their third annual Zumbathon in the Lund Aerobics room. The Zumbathon will run for three hours and supports the March of Dimes.
Sigma members and alumni will be leading the event. Participants will be able to win prizes, including a FitBit Flex 2, throughout the event. Prizes can only be won if partisipents are present at the drawings.
Tri-Sigma hosts various other philanthropic events throughout the year. Their largest philanthropic actions can be seen through the Tri-Sigma Foundation.
From the Tri-Sigma Foundation website, their foundation focuses on:
“create[ing] opportunities for donors to support scholarship, leadership development, philanthropy and service. To date the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million for scholarships and leadership programs as well as more than $3 million in therapeutic play/child life programs.”
The March of Dimes is the newest addition to the Tri-Sigma Foundation. March of Dimes is an organization committed to finding causes of premature birth defects and infant mortality.
March of Dimes started out when polio was a disease that affected thousands of individuals during the early twentieth century. President Franklin Roosevelt started the National Foundation for Infinite Paralysis in response to this disease.
The Paralysis foundation was the predecessor to the March of Dimes.
After scientists synthesized a polio vaccine:
“the foundation turned its focus to preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes has led the way to discover the genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening, and to educate medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancy” March of Dimes foundation.
March of Dimes fights premature births through research and public education. They fund scientists that are searching for ways to combat premature births.
Such as screening mothers for premature births before they’re pregnant. Tri-Sigma has gone even further to educate Gusties about March of Dimes and their humanitarian actions. The Sigmas are hosting a “baby shower” on Thursday Nov. 10th, to raise awareness for premature births.
“This year is our first year centering Zumbathon around Sigma Week.
We will have other events leading up to it. All week we will be tabling for Pie-a-Sigma where we will pie the Sigma who receives the most money in donations at noon on Nov. 11in the caf. We will also be hosting an open social on Thursday night that is baby shower themed to raise awareness for prematurity”Tri-Sigma President Madeline Jentink ‘17 said.
Sigma’s future at Gustavus is full of other opportunities to help the global community.
Later on in the year, the Sigmas will have a Christmas Party and a March for Dimes walk.
For her, the opportunity to lead her sisters:
“ has given me so many opportunities and lifelong friendships that it’s a joy to be able to serve my sisters and the organization in this role! I’m honored my sisters elected me, and I have learned so much about the organization, and myself as a leader, along with growing closer to my sisters.”