The nine individuals pictured are the Phoenix Founder of the Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. at the University of Missouri

Earlier this semester, the TRiO Student Support Services program was able to increase their emergency fund thanks to the help of the Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. at the University of Missouri (Mizzou AC of SLG). Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. is an organization that has emphasized the importance of education since its founding in 1990. Due to this goal, the sorority has dedicated their philanthropic efforts to TRiO programs all across the nation. When the Mizzou AC of SLG was re-established on the University of Missouri campus in November of last year, the members made a point to begin fundraising for Mizzou’s TRiO Student Support Services program.

“Since we’re still a new organization, we’re still trying to get out there,” said Destany Ramirez, Treasurer of the Mizzou AC of SLG “But we said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s contact TRiO and see what we can do and how we can help the TRiO Student Support Services program and students in it.’”

Ramirez, along with the other members of the Mizzou AC of SLG, decided to organize a bingo fundraiser for this year’s philanthropy project. Each bingo square ranged from $1 to $5, making the entire bingo card worth $50. When donors finished one card, they started the process again. After raising approximately $150 a day in less than a week, the Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. at the University of Missouri over $740 by the end of the fundraiser.

“We were not expecting the outcome,” said Ramirez. “I think we were shooting for at least $300 or $400. Then I saw we were getting up to $500 and I was like, ‘Let’s keep it going!’”

Even though the Mizzou AC of SLG may be considered small compared to other sororities, they still look to make a big impact on the members that join. One of the ways they do this is through the TRiO program.“Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. is a Latina-based, multicultural sorority. So, we’re very diverse,” said Ramirez. “We have people from all different backgrounds. Along with education, we’re also really big on sisterhood. So, I tell people, ‘Think of us like your big sisters.’ We push them and we let them know that it’s okay to ask for help. We always tell them about the TRiO program. I’m first generation, and I have the TRiO program to rely on. So, I let others know about it and tell them, because they’re here to get an education, we want to see them grow. We are proud to have TRiO as one of our philanthropies and hope to continue to do impactful things together.”

TRiO is eternally grateful for the support of organizations like the Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. at the University of Missouri. With the money raised this year, TRIO will be able to offer grocery support for students facing food insecurities over winter break and will also be able to help with emergencies that are not provided for under the federal grant with which the program operates.

Thank you to the Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. at the University of Missouri!