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National service partners


Gamma Sigma Sigma chapters have partnered with national service organizations over the last few decades. Individual, chapter, and national projects are developed to provide a concentrated level of service to the nation. These national partners are many, though the longest standing partnership is with March of Dimes. Gamma Sigma Sigma chapters also recognizes partnerships with the American Cancer Society, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION

There are a number of ways in which Gamma Sigma Sigma members can participate to help raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research.  These programs include: 

Fall

  • Hosting a Lemonade Stand
  • Starting a Lemon League– Lemon Leagues are the ALSF collegiate level auxiliary group. They are student led and operated, with a school charter to be recognized as an official campus organization. Members hold events throughout the year to raise funds/awareness for ALSF and pediatric cancer research.
  • Alex’s Million Mile– Alex’s Million Mile is a month-long event organized by ALSF during September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month). The goal is to collectively run, walk and/or ride one million miles to raise funds and increase awareness of the need to support childhood cancer research. This year ALSF is asking all participants to join them on September 1st for the “First Mile”, where at a designated time everyone will all start the walk together (a national event).
  • The Lemon Run– The Run starts at Memorial Hall and loops through beautiful Fairmount Park. More than 2,000 runners and walkers, many wearing yellow or gold for childhood cancer awareness, complete the 3.1 mile course. Among the participants are a number of Hero Families with a personal connection to childhood cancer, which adds to the meaning and inspiration of the day. Based in Philadelphia, members of Gamma Sigma Sigma from the area could participate either as an individual, or as a part of the new Centipede Run.
  • The Lemon Society– With chapters in New York, Philadelphia, and L.A., The Lemon Society is a group of self-starting, enthusiastic individuals dedicated to fulfilling the vision of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The group was founded to mobilize professionals to help continue Alex Scott’s vision of finding a cure for childhood cancer, “one cup at a time.” The Lemon Society supports ALSF’s efforts to raise money for childhood cancer research and treatments, increase awareness of childhood cancer and support patients and their families.

Spring

  • The Greek Lemonade War-The Greek Lemonade War allows fraternity and sorority members to compete against each other to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through various activities. Each organization will be competing against all other entrants (on campus and nationally), with the organization raising the most money being recognized by ALSF and winning the crown for the year.
  • #DancePHL– Philly-area college students! Make a difference, give back and meet other college students from throughout the Philadelphia area by participating in Dance PHL, benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.  Any college student in the Philadelphia or surrounding areas who wants to get involved can join to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer.

Benefits of participation in an ALSF event for students include:

  • Improved Leadership Development, Project Management skills, Increased student engagement
  • Encourages student philanthropic giving, while strengthening fundraising skills/abilities
  • Raises awareness for the need to increase research for childhood cancer treatments/cures
  • Creates a greater awareness of social problems, heightened sense of responsibility to help others in need, and a greater likelihood to give their time and money in the future to support their community.
  • All of our programs and initiatives are 100% FREE

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer since 1913.. The Official Mission Statement of the American Cancer Society is to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives & Lead the Fight For A World Without Cancer.

The American Cancer Society focused on four pillars of work. Fundraising, Patient Support, Research and Advocacy and has invested over five billion dollars in research since 1946. Some of their patient support programs include Road To Recovery, Hope Lodges, Cancer Survivor Networks and the toll free resource number 1.800.227.2345 and cancer.org.

Gamma Sigma Sigma members can support the American Cancer Society in many ways including:
  • Participate in one of the walk style events such as Relay For Life of Making Strides Against Cancer on your campus or nearby community. If there is not one, Gamma Sigma Sigma chapters can also start events on their campus. Volunteer at a Hope Lodge by making meals, providing entertainment, planning activities, and improving the facility and grounds.
  • Determination Events: See if your local marathon has ACS listed as a Charity of Choice and fundraise for ACS to eliminate your registration fee and run in the fight against cancer. You can also volunteer to help the day of the marathon at an ACS station.
  • Road To Recovery – Sign up to be a Road To Recovery Driver to take cancer patients to and from treatment.
  • Hope Lodge – Support the Hope Lodges by reaching out to see how they can use the help.
  • Other Ideas? Visit acsoncampus.cancer.org/yearroundideas for easy ideas that you can do each month of the year.
Questions about how to get your chapter engaged? Email ACSOnCampus@cancer.org 

MARCH OF DIMES


March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. March of Dimes images a world where every mom and baby is healthy regardless of wealth, race, gender or geography. Together with supporters like Gamma Sigma Sigma, we’re protecting the health of families by funding research, providing resources and programs and advocating for policies to help parents throughout their pregnancies. Building on a successful 80-year legacy, we create lasting change to make America more equitable for all and help every family get the best possible start.

Throughout the year, Gamma Sigma Sigma members can help support healthy moms and strong babies in a variety of ways.

Fundraise:
  • Fundraise through March for Babies A Mother of a Movement (Jan.-June 30th, annually): When you join March for Babies A Mother of a Movement, you make a statement that you want to live in a world where healthy moms and strong babies are a priority for us all. Together we hope, remember and celebrate. Gamma Sigma Sigma teams walk together across the country and raise critical funds.
  • Visit www.marchforbabies.org/gammasigmasigmasorority to find or sign up your team. #MarchForBabies
Advocate:
  • Prematurity Awareness Month (November): Throughout Prematurity Awareness Month, March of Dimes shines a light on the global crisis of prematurity. Volunteers help raise awareness and ask for lifesaving donations in honor of World Prematurity Day, November 17. Members can host awareness events, wear purple in support of prematurity awareness, post pictures of service using #worldprematurityday and #bannerservice or #gssservice. Learn more at http://www.marchofdimes.org/prematurity-awareness-month.aspx 
  • Join the Advocacy Network and tell a friend to join today to receive our action alerts. Be the first to get information on our legislative efforts and how you can make an impact on the health of moms and their babies. Sign up today at http://p2a.co/GammaSigmaSigma 
Volunteer:
  • Write Notes of Hope for families with a baby in the NICU.
  • Create activity kits for sibling so they have something fun to do while the rest of the family focuses on bonding with their new baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
  • Make Baby Hats/Blankets
  • Parent Care Kits: This activity puts together personal care kits for parents whose babies were born too soon, or unexpectedly.
Share:
  • Share Your Story: March of Dimes offers many supportive environments online with trusted information and advice, helpful resources and caring people who want to connect with you. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a community online just right for you or someone you know who could benefit from these communities. Learn more at Marchofdimes.org.
  • Follow March of Dimes Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok and use our ready-to-use social posts to share what is meaningful to you.
Lead:
  • Become a Volunteer Leader: Leverage your leadership, experience and network to support the health of all families by committing to a longer-term volunteer role. Volunteer Leaders support our work at the local and/or national levels through Market Boards, Event Leadership and professional committee roles in Maternal and Child Health or Advocacy. Please connect with us to learn more about these challenging and rewarding volunteer leadership opportunities and the requirements to be considered. Connect with March of Dimes to learn more: https://marchofdimes.formstack.com/forms/volunteer_profile_form 
For more information reach out to your March of Dimes liaison, Patty Gentry at pgentry@marchofdimes.org.

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:
  • Funding scientific research
  • Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
  • Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
  • Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide

    • Members of Gamma Sigma Sigma can support AFSP in many ways including:
  • Hosting and completing Mental Health First Aid training
  • Educate by bringing Talk Saves LivesTM to your school or workplace
  • Hosting an It’s Real documentary screening
  • Support National Suicide Prevention Week
  • Advocate for support for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and other suicide prevention and mental health policies that will make a difference
  • Participate and fundraise for an Out of the Darkness Community or Campus Walk
  • Fundraise, volunteer, or participate in The Overnight Walk
  • Advocate and support Sleep Awareness Week
  • Attend The Life Savers Gala

    • For chapters looking for more hands-on opportunities, please partner with a local chapter. Use this link to find your local chapter: https://afsp.org/find-a-local-chapter/