Each year our chapters plan and execute amazing philanthropy events. From golf tournaments to silent auctions, Build your own Burrito nights to ADPizza Parties, Run for Ronald 5K’s to Diamonds in the Dugout, and every event you can imagine in between. This year, we are thrilled to announce, our chapters have raised more than ever before for the 120 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country (and Canada too) that Alpha Delta Pi supports!
Before sharing this impressive number, we want to highlight why our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities is so special. Alpha Delta Pi gives financial support through the efforts of our philanthropy events hosted by chapters and alumnae associations, volunteer support by having our women host craft nights or dinners for the families staying in the home, and in-kind support by giving items on local wish lists (cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, toys, arts and craft materials, etc). They truly consider us to be a model partner.
During the 2016-2017 academic year, our members logged a total of 35,464 hours in their local RMHC’s. According to Independent Sector, the estimated value of volunteer time for data collected in 2016 averages out to $24.14/hour. This means our women donated $856,100.96 in volunteer hours.
We’re not stopping there. Did you know RMHC is located in more than 64 countries and regions around the world? Did you know Alpha Delta Pi only support about 40 percent of these houses? Just last week we received a request from the brand new RMHC of Michiana in South Bend, Indiana requesting assistance from local Alpha Delta Pi members. Unfortunately, we don’t have a chapter or alumnae association in their area. What to do?
The Alpha Delta Pi Foundation launched the Ronald McDonald House Charities Endowment in 2015, with the dream of being able to support every RMHC house globally. With a goal of reaching $1,000,000 in support by June 2018, our chapters, alumnae associations, and even individuals have contributed more than $322,000 to this unique fund. This is truly a challenge as we rely heavily on the support of our chapters and alumnae associations raising more than ever before to help make this fund possible and create a permanent connection between our organizations. This academic year, our women contributed more than $137,000, up 173 percent from the 2015-2016 academic year.
In the first 10 years of our partnership with RMHC, we raised $1,000,000. In the past four years, we have raised more than $4,800,000, soaring above the $1 million mark annually. This was our best year yet, bringing in $1,369,826 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. This propels our total support to RMHC to just over $12.6 million.
We are incredibly proud of our 37-year partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, our chapters and alumnae associations for continuing to plan successful philanthropy events, and our members who give their time and resources to an organization that gives so much to families in need.
Want to see more? Check out our current Philanthropy Video. Do you have a RMHC story to share? Reach out to foundation@alphadeltapi.com. And if you would like to make a gift to the RMHC Endowment, please donate here and be sure to specify RMHC Endowment in the notes box.