Tri Kappa’s local chapter continues to serve

Kappa Kappa Kappa members will celebrate the philanthropic sorority’s 121st anniversary later this month as Mayor Richard Strick issued a proclamation on Tuesday, February 8, to mark the occasion and declare February 20 to 26 as Tri Kappa Week in Huntington.

The sorority, commonly known as Tri Kappa, was founded in Indianapolis on February 22, 1901, to promote charity, culture and education throughout Indiana. Just more than five years later, Huntington’s Chi chapter was founded on September 9, 1906.

Today, more than 7,700 women are members in one of Tri Kappa’s 236 chapters located solely in Indiana. They raise $1.5 million annually to support charities such as the Riley Children’s Foundation, cultural establishments through the Tri Kappa Fine Arts Endowment Fund and deserving college students through a number of scholarship opportunities. Volunteer hours given toward philanthropic endeavors each year number in the hundreds of thousands.

The local Chi chapter has 23 Active and over 50 Associate members who volunteer their time and efforts around the year to give back to the Huntington community.

“Some of the organizations we support include Blessings in a Backpack, By the Book, Youth Services Bureau, Parkview Boys & Girls Club, New Life Ministries’ Meal Ministry, Huntington North High School’s Riley Dance Marathon and Post Prom, Place of Grace and McKenzie’s Hope, as well as local scholarship opportunities,” Chi President Angie Garcia said. “We have also partnered with Huntington County elementary and middle schools to provide a variety of items needed in school clinics.”

Chi members expand their impact by volunteering with local service organizations and non-profits as active participants on various committees and boards. Their fundraising activities include springtime gift cards in partnership with the Huntington Nursery, in autumn Terry Lynn Nut Sales, the House Walk Tour of Homes and Red Stocking Follies. They also make sure to get in a generous holiday spirit each winter.

“One of the most impactful things we do annually is partnering with a local organization to sponsor a family in need over the holidays,” Garcia said.

Statewide, the sorority’s academic and fine arts scholarship opportunities are available each fall to students already enrolled in college. In addition, Tri Kappa’s Key Scholarship is a unique offering for non-traditional students who have not earned a degree and have returned to higher education after a gap of at least five years.

“You do not find this type of scholarship just anywhere,” Garcia said.

The Chi chapter, both Active and Associates, offer local scholarships for students graduating from high school. These opportunities are available in the springtime, and information about them can be obtained through the Huntington North High School Guidance Office.

For more information about Tri Kappa, visit www.trikappa.org. To connect with the Huntington Chi chapter, email HuntingtonChi@trikappa.org or reach by mail at Tri Kappa, P.O. Box 42 Huntington, IN 46750.

Shown in the photo, from left, includes Lori Mickley, Amber Rensberger, Angie Garcia, Christi McElhaney, Mayor Richard Strick, Sandy Stephan, Betty Sands, Annette Carroll, Jo Bradley and Sally Morrison.