Delta Gamma to be honored with Volunteer Community Partner Award

On April 17th, the eve of the Boston Marathon, Delta Gamma (DG), a women’s organization devoted to “Service for Sight,” will be honored with the Volunteer Community Partner Award from the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). In particular, MABVI wishes to recognize the volunteer support they receive from local Delta Gamma chapters Zeta Zeta of Boston University and Zeta Phi of Harvard University, as well as the Delta Gamma Boston Alumnae Chapter. Each year this award recognizes one partner who has gone above and beyond to support, strengthen, and grow MABVI’s Volunteer Program.

“Over the past three plus years,” says Kyle Robidoux, MABVI Director of Volunteer and Support Group Services, “the DGs have done exactly this and more. We are very lucky to have them as a partner.” Reflecting their motto of “Do Good,” Delta Gamma collegians support MABVI’s mission by serving as one-to-one volunteers with individuals who are blind or visually impaired in their local Massachusetts communities, helping them with tasks ranging from paying bills to shopping to going to the gym.

“Volunteering through MABVI has been a life-changing experience,” says Stephanie Ross, vp:communication for DG’s Boston Alumnae Chapter and a MABVI one-to-one volunteer. “It’s brought me closer to my ideals as a Delta Gamma and brought a new friend into my life.”

In addition, Delta Gamma provides invaluable volunteer support to MABVI’s Team With a Vision at the Boston Marathon, assisting with events throughout the weekend to ensure this team of athletes with visual impairment and their sighted guides have the best experience possible.

“I’ve loved volunteering with MABVI and Team with a Vision for so many reasons,” says Amee Naik, Advisory Team Chairman for Boston University’s Delta Gamma chapter. “Personally, being able to play any kind of part in supporting these runners in accomplishing a goal that they have worked and trained so hard for is fantastic! This partnership has provided that feeling of connectedness for DGs in Boston in general – regardless of our ages, backgrounds, and experiences, one thing that we all share is a goal to ‘Do Good,’ and this partnership allows us to do that in a fun, extremely Boston-y way!”

Laura O’Brien, Director of Advisers for Delta Gamma and Delta Gamma Foundation Outreach Volunteer, agrees.

“Boston Marathon weekend has quickly become a favorite weekend for Boston-area Delta Gammas of all ages,” she says. “We look forward to reconnecting with returning runners, many of whom have become dear friends, as well as welcoming new runners to our fabulous city.

“Since we first connected with MABVI, we’ve seen an increase in the number of DGs volunteering not only during Marathon weekend but also for the one-on-one program throughout the year. Boston Delta Gammas and MABVI are connected by more than our common mission in serving those with visual impairments – it’s the people, the energy, and the fun that continues to draw us in.”

On top of their volunteer efforts, generous financial support from Delta Gamma has allowed MABVI to increase staff capacity, mobilize and support more runners who are blind or visually impaired, and reach new volunteers.

Delta Gamma will receive the Volunteer Community Partner Award at a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on April 17th at the Westin Copley Place in Boston. The brunch will also honor Team With A Vision, a team of athletes who are visually impaired and their sighted guides who will be racing the 120th Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for MABVI. Both the Volunteer Program and Team With A Vision further MABVI’s mission of proving that with the right support, individuals who are visually impaired are capable of anything, and that “disability” does not equal “inability.”

Anyone interested in becoming a MABVI volunteer can apply at mabvi.org/volunteer or call 617-972-9119. Individuals under 18 may volunteer alongside a parent as part of MABVI’s Family Volunteer Program.