ESA’s own Hero sends her thanks

Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s own hero sends her thanks for the care packages ESA sent her. She is now home safe from Iraq.

Cards Bring Smiles... to the Troops

Alpha Iota Chapter of Anchorage, AK organized a project called Cards Bring Smiles to support our American heroes. The Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter collected gift cards and donations at two different local malls. The chapter raised a staggering $740. The donations were given to the Family Services Office which distributed them to families of local Air National Guard personnel. Shari Fuhrer, Philanthropic Chairman, says “This was truly a rewarding project not only for the families but for the members of Alpha Iota as well.”

Military Child Going to Summer Camp

Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Rho Chapter of Fort Myers, FL is working hard to send a military child to summer camp. The chapter needs to raise $600 in order to send the child to camp, and they're getting close! The chapter also started Red Shirt Fridays, wearing red on Friday in support of the troops.

Last Minute Event Raises Big Money

Gamma Psi Chapter North Little Rock, AR held a last minute event. A local Flag & Banner business told the Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter he would give the chapter a discount on small handheld flags and when they arrived to purchase them he donated 100 flags. Gamma Psi set up outside a Kroger grocery store and asked for donations, giving a flag for a donation and within 2 hours our flags were gone. The chapter continued sitting outside collecting donations. The chapter raised $488 in six hours and the money will be used to send care packages to some of our military heroes overseas.

Kids help share ESA’s passion for our Heroes

Gamma Pi Chapter of Indianapolis, IN partnered with Republic Services of Indiana to collect items to send to the service men and women overseas. The Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter was also joined by Triton Central High School, Sunshine Club and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). An Indiana National Guard unit received 77 boxes with all costs covered by the Gamma Pi chapter. The chapter also had a 1st grade class make from Pendleton, IN make cards to go in the boxes. The chapter has received a response from the Indiana National Guard unit thanking them for the boxes and sharing how much they enjoyed the cards from the 1st grade class.

Dinner Honoring our Troops

Beta Epsilon of Frankfurt, KS held an honorary dinner for all local veterans. The chapter had 85 people in attendance. Epsilon Sigma Alpha is pleased to announce the chapter was able to honor the veterans, with the help of 2 veterans, Susan Winters presented a program on the meaning of the flag folding ceremony. She also talked about the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner.

Veteran Support Runs Deep

When Cheryl Bailey of Kappa Mu Chapter of Harlingen, TX first went shopping for supplies for her chapter’s Hope for Heroes event she had no idea how much support the community already had. Cheryl went to target to buy all kinds of goodies for her events and when she told the Target clerk why she had so many little goodies the clerk pulled out a big bag and said “Here, whatever you can fit in this bag is yours.” That was just the start of all the good to come for Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Kappa Mu chapter. Cheryl surprised her own chapter by raising $121 for postage to send packages to the troops full of the goodies from Target.

Bringing the community together to Support our Troops

Eta Rho Chapter of Derby, KS created 6’ banners that were located along the highway in Derby, KS to raise awareness for their Hope for Heroes events. This helped to bring the community together to honor our American heroes. Local Derby businesses also gave discounts to military personnel and their families during the week.

United States Flag Sponsorship

Alpha Gamma Chapter of Grand Prairie, TX has opted to sponsor the placement of a United States flag in the Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Prairie, TX honoring all military men and women, past and present, as our way of supporting the Hope for Heroes: An ESA National Event. The Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter has also supported the United Through Reading (UTR) at the USO/DFW for several years by donating books to the reading room. These books are made available to deployed troops who pass through DFW airport on their R&R, to read to their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters.

Football benefits Troops

Rho Chi Chapter of Tampa Bay, FL placed volunteers at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game to benefit their Local Easter Seals. Volunteers collected funds and all proceeds went to Camp Hope - an Easter Seals foundation providing camping opportunities for children of military families. The Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter is pleased to say they really enjoyed making a difference for these families and they are proud to support such a great endeavor.

Blue Star Mothers and American Heroes

Both Gamma Delta Chapter of Albuquerque, NM and Alpha Omega Chapter of Albuquerque, NM came together for the Blue Star Mothers Program. The Blue Star Mothers Program is an organization for mothers who have children serving or who have served in the military. Epsilon Sigma Alpha is proud to announce that both Gamma Delta Chapter and Alpha Omega Chapters are supporters of such a wonderful organization. More than $500 has been donated in funds and we estimate the donated items at $250. Both Gamma Delta and Alpha Omega presented the Blue Star Mothers with checks.

Bake Sale for Heroes

Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s chapter Alpha Zeta of Fort Wayne IN hosted a bake sale on veterans day at the local YMCA. The chapter raised $265 in selling the baked goods, water bottles and cash donations.

Candlelight Ceremony

Chi Omega Chapter of Eunice, NM held a candlelight ceremony in honor of our veterans and those still serving. The Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapter held their ceremony in their town triangle under a gigantic American flag. The ceremony drew in nearly 100 community members (in a town of 2,500). The chapter put together an in scripted granite slab that we donated to serve as a as a permanent monument at the triangle. The chapter and the community both enjoyed such a beautiful ceremony honoring our countries veterans.

Homegrown Support for our Heroes

Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Omega Chapter of Crystal, MN hosted their “Cheers for the Troops” event. The chapter met at Big Louie’s, a Bar and Grill in Crystal, MN, with over 60 guests in attendance. The event was in support of the Minnesota Veteran Family Support organization. The MVFS is a homegrown group dedicated to addressing the needs of our veterans’ families throughout the deployment and reintegration process. Gamma Omega was so touched by this organization that they plan to contribute hundreds of dollars to the MVFS organization.

Ziplock Love for our Heroes

Kappa Mu Chapter of Harlingen, TX contributed to the Hope for Heroes: An ESA National event by putting together 130 quart sized ziplock bags stuffed with goodies to send to our troops. The Epsilon Sigma chapter also provided Information given out to various businesses and churches which had collection boxes. The chapter had a huge response in the community. Barb Atkinson says, “We are excited to be sharing our name in the community and getting thank you's for doing this service in the name of ESA.”

Hope for Heroes through Tires, Tires, Tires.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Beta Eta Chapter of Sioux Falls, SD hosted their Support Siouxland Soldiers and Tires, Tires, Tires event for the Hope for Heroes: An ESA National Event. The chapter packed and shipped 75 care packages outside in the Tires, Tires, Tires parking lot in Sioux Falls. The chapter was fortunate enough to have two radio stations broadcast while they were there and encouraged people to drop by. People dropped off all kinds of items for the care packages. The funds that were collected were used to purchase more items to send to our American heroes. Beta Eta enjoyed involving their community in their efforts to support the troops and overall the event was a huge success!

Hope For Heroes in Arkansas

Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) recently initiated a nationwide event to show love and support to our countries proud veterans. Hope for Heroes: An ESA National event was a huge success. ESA chapters from all over the nation hosted fundraising and item gathering events to support our troops.

Delta Nu Chapter of Vilonia, AR had a community tailgate party for Veterans' Day at the University of Central Arkansas. The chapter gave away a night's stay at the local Hilton with breakfast, 2 restaurant gift cards, and bags of America’s Blessing mix. The chapter also put together a ceremony that honored all Arkansans who have died in the wars since 9/11 with the Senator and Congressman of Arkansas. Delta Nu’s event was a huge success.

We're trying something new!

Great news! We're trying our hat at blogging.

We had a challenge (a great challenge:) of being inundated with fabulous stories of what members and non-members were doing for the Hope for Heroes: An ESA National Event. We want to share what everyone is doing, but where do we share it? Do we wait for the next Jonquil... but that's so far away!

At a recent staff meeting, Tracy brought up the fabulous idea of blogging. It's flexible. It's real time. Everyone can see it. Members and non-members alike can comment on the happenings within ESA.

So, here's the scoop. We'll post stories, ideas, etc. we receive from members and chapters (hopefully with pictures). These can be on anything within ESA... Hope for Heroes, St. Jude, local community efforts, shining members, etc.

Now take a look at the first line... we're trying our hat at this. You may see mistakes and have suggestions. You will be touched and inspired by what your fellow members are doing. Best yet... you always have the opportunity to share with other friends, co-workers, and family members the amazing stories of ESA... your ESA.

Thanks for joining with us... enjoy the ride!

Janna