The Tau Chapter of Sigma Alpha participates in a lot of philanthropy opportunities. Recent events include our National Philanthropy Ag in the Classroom, Adopt a Highway, Relay for Life, Petsmart Adopt a Thons, Special Olympics, and Fall Festival.

Ag in the Classroom

Our National Philanthropy project is Ag in the Classroom. We go to a local Elementary school, Clemson Elementary, and teach the children about various Ag-related things. These lessons include planting seeds, making butter, and teaching about cows. The kids have a great time learning and telling us about their lives. It's a learning experience for both our chapter and the kids.

Adopt a Highway

We have a road in Clemson, right next to the armory, that we keep clean. Sisters gather at the armory and then separate into two groups, each taking half of the road. It takes about 45 minutes and even though you pick up litter, you have the entire time to talk to your sisters. It's an excellent way to help the community and learn about your fellow sisters.

Relay for Life

Relay for Life is a campus wide event. We've done various fundraisers through the year to help raise money. This year, one of our members had a t-shirt made and we sold them for $10. All proceeds went to Relay for Life. Another fundraiser we did is the Flamingo Fundraiser. Each year we get together for a meeting and decorate little paper flamingos and parrots. We then advertise that the fundraiser is coming and teachers and students can buy flamingos or parrots to put on teachers' doors.

Petsmart Adopt a Thons

One of our local shelters goes to Petsmart every Saturday to raise awareness of their presence and their animals. The sisters go to Petsmart and help them do the simple tasks so the actual workers can focus on helping the dogs and cats find new homes. It's a messy and sometimes smelly job but it's well worth it.

Special Olympics

We helped out at the Special Olympics in Anderson for the first time in October. It was a lot of fun going to the Skating Rink and helping time and hand out awards.

Fall Festival

Fall Festival is an event held every Halloween by the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences department. The various clubs get together and set up booths to help provide a safe place for kids to have fun and get some candy. Our booth the past few years has been the "Fish-a-Treat" booth. As the picture above shows, one sister gets under the table (or behind a board) and pretends to be the fish. Kids swing their clothes pin rods over the table and wait for the fish to bite. One kid had so much fun fishing, he came back over 10 times!

The Future

Our sisters have been enthusiastically suggesting more ideas for philanthropy events. The ideas include making flower arrangements for nursing home patients, participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Walk for the Cure, helping with Habitat for Humanity, and working with the local women's shelter. These are all fantastic ideas that are looking into for the future.