RMHC Partner Spotlight: Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi)

Alpha Delta Pi Sorority (ADPi) has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) since 1979, raising nearly $20,000,000 for the Charity. Each of ADPi’s 155 collegiate chapters and 150+ alumnae associations support local RMHC Chapters, including hosting philanthropic events, offering volunteer opportunities for sisters and much more. Last year, ADPi provided almost 18,000 service hours benefitting RMHC!

Today, we’re highlighting one of ADPi’s collegiate chapters – the Eta Upsilon chapter at Wake Forest University! Read more about how they support RMHC below:

1. How does your chapter support RMHC?

Sisters from the Eta Upsilon chapter at Wake Forest University volunteer in groups to cook meals at our local Ronald McDonald House two to three times a month. During the pandemic, when volunteers were not allowed in the House, our chapter would purchase a meal once a week to send. Now that they have re-opened their doors for in person volunteer opportunities, our sisters always jump at this opportunity and the signup sheet for the month is typically filled within minutes of being sent out. Additionally, we deliver handmade cards to our local House around all major holidays, which are distributed among families and displayed in the common areas of the House.

2. Can you tell us about your annual Gala for Giving?

Every Fall we host our annual Gala for Giving during the University’s Family Weekend. All 250+ members and their families come together to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The event includes both a live and silent auction as well as a raffle, with items donated by families and solicited from local businesses. We are incredibly proud and grateful to say that this past Fall, our Gala raised more than $100,000 for our local Chapter, RMHC of the Piedmont Triad!

3. How does your Gala involve your parents and your local community in Winston-Salem?

We activate all 250+ members of our chapter to help create a successful Gala event. Sisters are asked to seek donations from local businesses, email community partners, and create marketing materials to inform and educate others about the RMHC mission.

Our main goal is to raise awareness about RMHC, and as a result influence family members of ADPi sisters and local businesses to donate to the worthy cause. As part of the live auction we have attendees “bid” on a number of nights stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem, effectively allowing someone to fund a night, a week, or a month for a family in need. It has been made abundantly clear to us that the deep ties between Winston Salem, Wake Forest, and our local Ronald McDonald House are the reason for such generosity. 

4. What other philanthropic events does your chapter host to support RMHC?

In addition to our annual Gala for Giving, we also host smaller scale philanthropic events on campus during the school year to benefit RMHC. A few examples of successful past events and new upcoming ones are: “Cool off with ADPi,” a lemonade sale in the early fall; “Pie a Pi,” where students can pay to pie a sister with a whipped cream pie; and “ADPie Day,” a pie sale on Pi Day. All of our sisters volunteer to work shifts for all philanthropy events and it is a great way to connect with our campus community and showcase our connection to RMHC. To date for 2022, our chapter has a total of 1,031 volunteer hours – served for RMHC and other charitable entities.  

5. How do Eta Upsilon sisters stay involved with RMHC after they graduate?

RMHC definitely makes an impact on the lives of our members and is something that some continue to devote time to after graduating. Alumnae are involved in numerous ways. They help donate and continue to support us from around the world, including:

• Serving on advisory boards or as members of local RMHC boards of directors
• Supporting local RMHC fundraising events
• Volunteering – many of our 150+ Alumnae Associations are regularly seen planning meals, cleaning, or participating in volunteer activities to support their local RMHC Chapters)
• Taking part in Alpha Delta Pi’s Week of Service that is celebrated in conjunction with our October 30th Anniversary as a global partner with RMHC by planning activities like supply drives or creating snack and toiletry kits

Thank you for your continued support, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority!