Philanthropy

OUR MISSION

Every Kappa Sigma is called to Service, and the Epsilon-Gamma Chapter is committed to participating in a wide range of philanthropic activities. Our Brothers wholeheartedly participate in the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, the charitable efforts of our fellow Greeks, and our own Military Heroes Campaign. We believe that our lifetime commitment requires accepting the challenge of giving Service, not only to the Fraternity as an undergraduate and then as an alumnus, but also by engaging in a wider and more sacrificial Service to our campus, our community, and our fellow man. By embracing these teachings, Kappa Sigma truly is for life.

DART PROGRAM

Before D.A.R.T. was organized in 1994, local families had nowhere to go to escape the abuse, fear, and trauma they experienced at home. At the time, Ruston’s LA Mayor’s Commission for Women had been addressing this problem with donated resources for several years, but statistics from local law enforcement indicated that domestic violence was a problem in our community and that the problem was growing. D.A.R.T. began its mission of helping keep families safe with one full-time and one part-time employee. A very active board of directors and a core group of volunteers shared responsibilities with the employees. Their first shelter could house eight people in a large back room of the building with staff offices situated at the front.

In the following years, D.A.R.T. obtained more funding and more employees, and in 2001, the agency acquired a larger home for its shelter with separate administrative offices in downtown Ruston. The new shelter can house up to twelve people and offers four separate bedrooms for women or men and their children. In 2015, funds were raised to create a separate children’s building on the shelter property, which is now used for D.AR.T.’s weekly children’s group as well as other special events. For more information, visit their website at www.dartla.org.

THE MILITARY HEROES CAMPAIGN

Kappa Sigma’s Military Heroes Campaign was designed to honor and aid the thousands of wounded military veterans returning from active duty. The campaign focuses on providing charitable assistance to the Fisher House Foundation, a segment of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund that provides free housing to wounded veterans and their families throughout the duration of rehabilitation.

The Fisher House Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a network of 59 comfort homes on the grounds of military and VA major medical centers. The houses are 5,000- to 16,000-square-foot units with up to 21 suites donated to the military through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The Foundation provides support to families of patients receiving care at the nearby medical center. Further information on the work of the Fisher

House Foundation can be found at www.fisherhouse.org or by calling (888) 294-8560.