Kappa Delta holds carnival as part of philanthropy week

Published 7:07 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Laughter could be heard all around the Bibb Graves Quad on Tuesday afternoon.

The sisters of the Kappa Delta sorority hosted a carnival for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for local children.

Frisbee, football, miniature golf, horse shoes and face painting were just some of the activities for the children to enjoy.

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“We just wanted to host an event so the kids can have a good time,” said Julie Murphy, vice president of community service for Kappa Delta. “Some of the children have never had the opportunity to attend something like this, and it gives them a chance to interact with the college students who could be role models.”

The carnival was just one of the events that make up Kappa Delta’s Fall Shamrock philanthropy. The event began on Monday with the sisters of KD plastering facts about child abuse all around the Troy University campus.

Tuesday’s carnival allowed children of the community to have a good time with some of Troy’s students, and the philanthropy project culminates on Wednesday with the presentation of teddy bears to the Troy Police Department.

The stuffed animals are used by officers to calm children down after a traumatic experience.

“The police officers keep these animals in their car and use them when they need to pick up a child from an abusive home, situation or even from a traffic accident,” said Murphy. “We have collected about 150 so far, but will keep collecting throughout the year.”

Though the Shamrock event ends Wednesday, Murphy said that the sorority is planning an event to help raise money for another local organization.

“Tomorrow is the end of the philanthropy event, but we are holding a football tournament on Oct. 21 to raise money for the Child Advocacy Center and Child Abuse America,” said Murphy. “We work very closely with the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center. They are always in need of books and supplies, so we are constantly having drives to help them out.”

Murphy said that being able help out the CAC was gratification enough, but executive director of the CAC Camille Downing presented the sorority with a plaque thanking them for their support last month.

“It makes all that more rewarding to know that we get to help our community,” said Murphy. “Miss Camille is so supportive and to help the CAC out means a lot to all the sisters.”