On May 28, 2010, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital recognized Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated for raising $1 million in five years. The fraternity achieved the milestone by raising $310,000 through the 2010 Sunday of Hope national fundraising program.
Nearly 100 members of Kappa Alpha Psi, representatives from top fundraising churches and St. Jude patients and their families recently celebrated the milestone at St. Jude. Also in attendance was nationally recognized clergy Reverend Calvin O. Butts III who delivered an inspirational message of hope to attendees.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., an international organization founded on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, has trained over 125,000 men, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits.
In 2005, Kappa Alpha Psi named St. Jude as its national philanthropic partner. Two years later, Kappa Alpha Psi began partnering with churches around the country for the Sunday of Hope fundraiser where churches collect a special offering during a designated regular Sunday worship service. All funds collected are donated to St. Jude, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers.
“We are grateful to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the hundreds of churches who have participated in Sunday of Hope,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., chief executive officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Their dedication to the patients of St. Jude is inspiring. As our patients battle some of the most deadly diseases, we are glad to have their support of our mission of finding cures and saving children.”
“Kappa Alpha Psi is proud of its service to mankind over the last century. Nothing makes us prouder than the partnership we have with St. Jude and the Sunday of Hope initiative that has garnered more than $1 million in less than five years,” said Dwayne M. Murray, Esq., Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. “We have decided to assist in the waging of war against childhood diseases and the work at St. Jude exemplifies the frontline of the battle against cancer and other deadly diseases that affect children. I encourage all members of Kappa Alpha Psi to continue to reach out to churches and other organizations to assist us in this perpetual, lifesaving war.”
For more information about the Sunday of Hope program, visit www.stjude.org/sundayofhope.