By: Caroline Maas, Contributing Writer
On Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10 a.m. cheers and shouts will be audible from Duncan Park in Spartanburg, S.C. While St. Patrick’s Day is the day before, that is not the reason for the shamrock-themed decorations that will be hung from every tent, tree and human in sight. The sisters of Kappa Delta will be hosting their annual Shamrock ‘n Run 5k race.
The running, chanting and face painting will be fun, but the event is really about philanthropy. All of the proceeds from Shamrock ‘n Run will be divvied up and donated between Prevent Child Abuse America, the sorority’s national philanthropy, and The Hope Center for Children, the chapter’s local philanthropy.
Chapters of Kappa Delta all over the United States support the national organizations of The Girl Scouts of the USA and Prevent Child Abuse America. It is through the support of these organizations that the vision of KD is attained. The sorority’s website reads, “Kappa Delta Sorority is committed to providing opportunities and experiences that build confidence and inspire women to action.” The proceeds of KD’s Shamrock ‘n Run 5k are selected to be donated to these two philanthropies that work to prevent child abuse because, “there’s nothing that destroys a child’s confidence more than abuse.”
Head of community service Mattie Weldon ‘19 speaks to KD’s commitment to confidence. “Confidence is important to me because it encourages people to be proud of who they are,” she says. “More than that, it allows them to be comfortable with who they are, on the inside and out. I think that’s why KD strives to bring confidence to women and girls nationwide. By breaking the patterns of low self-esteem and encouraging people to be bold and proud of who they are we encourage them to be their best selves.”
So instead of sleeping in on Saturday, head on out to Duncan Park. Tickets are $15, which gets you a t-shirt, Chick-Fil-A biscuit, the 5k race and the satisfaction of knowing you ran towards preventing child abuse and instilling confidence in the members of your community.
Don’t have connections to Kappa Delta? You’re invited anyway! Any support is welcomed. Weldon says, “Confident women create confident women, and confident women inspire others. By encouraging the women in your life in who they are, we can spread confidence. Confidence is evident and necessary in everything that a person does.”