Give the Gift of Love

Written by Elizabeth De Jong,  Development Officer for the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation

What is your best Valentine’s Day memory? Is it the box of cards, lollipops and homemade hearts you got in elementary school? Is it the flowers a loved one sent to you? Is it a weekend getaway with girlfriends to celebrate friendship over romantic love?

For me, I enjoy the Foundation’s Valentine program. I love seeing our Sisters send Valentines to one another while ensuring that we can inspire Alpha Xi Deltas everywhere to realize their potential. I enjoy knowing that parents love their Alpha Xi Delta daughters and support their membership in Alpha Xi Delta. Let me share with you some of my favorite stories that have come since we started this program.

• A few years ago, I got a phone call from a Sister who wanted to send her Little Sisters valentines, but she didn’t know where they lived. She’d lost touch, but wanted them to know she still thinks of them.
  
• Three years ago, one of our collegian’s dogs “sent” her a valentine – of course with some help from mom and dad.
  
• There was the father who sent a valentine to his daughter as a way to show her that, while he doesn’t understand her joining a sorority, he supports her decision because of the positive things he has seen her do since starting her membership. And, to let her know she will always be his little girl.
  
• Two years ago, there was the mother who sent a valentine to her daughter to celebrate their new Sisterhood bond. She wrote in her message, “I’m so proud of the woman you are becoming and to share Alpha Xi Delta with you.”
  

For years now, I haven’t spent money on Valentine’s Day cards. I haven’t fought the displays of pink and red cards to find the right one. Instead, I open my computer and go to www.alphaxidelta.org/valentine. I make a donation to the organization I love for the women who mean so much to me - generations of Alpha Xi Deltas – my list this year ranges in age from 95 to 21. Alpha Xi Deltas who I will always hold close to my heart.

For a tax-deductible gift of $20, your Alpha Xi Delta will receive our custom-designed valentine card (shown above) with your personalized message included. Your gift to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation will remind your special Alpha Xi Delta of how special she is to you, and you will help Alpha Xi Delta inspire women to realize their potential.