Cornell students and the Ithaca community bowled for children’s charities on Saturday at the 18th annual Shamrock Project. The project, organized by the Kappa Delta sorority, raised $2,500 at a six hour bowl-a-thon at Helen Newman Bowling Center.
The event, planned by Kristin Myers ’02 and Stevie Smith ’02 raised about $1,000 from the bowl-a-thon itself and another $1,500 from a raffle. The sorority will give 80 percent of the total money raised to the Dispositional Alternative Program in Ithaca. The remaining money will go to Prevent Child Abuse America.
Although Kappa Delta sponsors the Shamrock Project annually, it is not always a bowl-a-thon. In the past they have hosted a tennis tournament and a “Shamrock Splash” water balloon toss. The bowling tournament began three years ago.
About 150 people from Cornell and Ithaca participated in the bowling event.
Heather Petersen ’02, vice president of public relations for Kappa Delta, stressed the importance of giving 80 percent of the money raised to a local charity organization.
“We decided to give most of the money locally because it is important to support our community,” Petersen said.
“I think people will know that their contributions are making a difference when they can watch these programs at work,” she said.
Prevent Child Abuse America is one of four national philanthropy foundations that benefits from Kappa Delta’s fundraisers.
Kappa Delta members thought that children’s charities are a worthy cause.
“Children are so vulnerable and it is important that they are cared for at a young age so that they can grow up and live normal lives,” said Nicole Savageau ’04.
The organizers of this event were impressed by the number of people that came to the bowl-a-thon.
“It is great to see so many people here to support the event and these charities. There is even one team that comes to this event year after year and is not associated with any fraternity or sorority,” Petersen said.
Archived article by Seth Harris