Paying it Back — A Grant That Touched My Life
About ten years ago, I suffered a major financial setback as a result of an illness and other personal issues. I literally felt like I was at the end of my rope and did not know where to turn.
I had been reading an issue of the Quarterly and saw information about the SIS Grant program* and wondered if the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation would really be able to help me.
I was blessed to receive a grant from the Foundation shortly after my application — and when I say it was a blessing, that is a gross understatement. The gift of your generosity brought me out of a very dark financial place and I vowed that somehow, someday I'd be able to pay it back or even pay it forward.
A few years later I found myself transferred to another city where I immediately sought out the alumnae chapter, making lifelong friends with the Alpha Gams I met. I'm proud to serve as an officer, and I find my life as an alumna enriching and impactful.
In preparing for IRD this spring, I was struck by the theme, "Experiences of a Lifetime." No doubt sisters embraced that theme in many different ways. For me, I will cherish my collegiate experiences as well as look forward to the many experiences I will have with my fellow alumnae. The word lifetime truly sums it up.
I would need several lifetimes to show my gratitude to the Fraternity for abundant sisterhood and the Foundation for its profound generosity. Since I only have one (lifetime, that is), I have decided to give a gift to the Foundation by naming it as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy.
I don't recall who helped me with the SIS grant many years ago, and I won't be around to know who might benefit from my gift but I do know that loving, generous, amazing Alpha Gamma Delta sisters will be reaching out with a helping hand to help sisters in need, like me.
Loyally and with love,
An Alpha Gam Sister
*Our SIS Grant program is confidential and provides grants to sisters with emergency financial need due to natural disasters, domestic violence or other catastrophic events in their lives. Thank you to this sister for her willingness to share her letter and story in hopes that others will join her as a member of the Corinthian Society.