Zeta Theta
Zeta Theta | |
---|---|
ZΘ | |
Founded | May 2, 1982 |
College | Trinity College |
Location | Hartford, CT |
Homepage | Zeta Theta Homepage |
Media related to Zeta Theta Chapter |
Trinity College is a private liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University.
Zeta Theta was founded on May 2, 1982
855 initiates (as of June 2018)
Fraternity Council Officers:
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Jane Swift, 2004, former governor of Massachusetts
Additional Outstanding Zeta Theta Alumnae:
Contents
Installation of Zeta ThetaEdit
Kappa is hope, Kappa is friendship, Kappa is sharing. Kappa's strength lies in her members, and their vigor and enthusiasm displayed during the installation of KKG's newest chapter prove that the bonds of Kappa sisterhood are as strong as ever. On May 1st and 2nd, 1982, 26 outstanding young women from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, became actives of Kappa's 110th chapter, Zeta Theta. This glorious weekend celebration was the culmination of more than five months of planning and effort on the part of both Kappa actives and alumnae and the women of Alpha Zeta Chi, a local Trinity women's sorority, who had sought Kappa colonization.
Trinity College founded in 1823, is a liberal arts and science college with enrollment close to 2,000 students. Although women have been part of the campus since 1970, there had been no national women's sororities until Delta Delta Delta arrived in 1981.
In late 1981, Alpha Zeta Chi petitioned KKΓ for colonization. Chandlee Johnson, the vivacious president of Alpha Zeta Chi, felt that KKΓ embodied the ideals and purposes which the women of her group were looking for in a national fraternity. Chandlee, Wilmington Delaware, knew well the ideals and purposes of Kappa - her mother is one!
In early 1982 Kappa accepted Alpha Zeta Chi's petition and a whirlwind began. The Hartford Alumnae Association, with direction from Marjorie Matson Converse, ΓΔ - Purdue, extension chairman, enthusiastically took charge of colonization arrangements. Meredith Mawbey Takala, ΔN - Massachusetts, and Marjorie Mering Sherman, ΓΛ - Middlebury, were enlisted as co-chairmen for formal chapter installation.
On a sunny Valentine's Day, Zeta Theta Chapter was formally colonized and a reception followed at the Trinity president's house. The following two and a half months were hectic, exhilarating, and enlightening for the new pledges. Besides involvement in their studies and other activities, they focused on Kappa - becoming more immersed in the ideals and purpose. During this period, deeper friendships were forming, not only among the pledges but also with the members of their big sister chapter at Babson College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
By May 1st the young women were ready and eager to become active members. Vicki Mack, EB - Colorado State, and Charlotte Stiverson, ZΓ - Centre College, were co-chairmen for the initiation. The beautiful initiation ceremony was presided over by Sally Moore Nitschke, BN- Ohio State, Fraternity president, and a luncheon followed which was provided by the Fairfield County Alumnae Association. After luncheon, a reception was held for parents, friends and alumnae at the Trinity president's home, and that evening the formal installation banquet was held in the charming Faculty Dining Room. Throughout the months of preparations one important bond was apparent among alumnae, actives, and pledges - the deep love of Kappa.
So Kappa is hope, Kappa is friendship, Kappa is sharing - and, most of all, Kappa is love.
Highlights of the 1980'sEdit
Zeta Theta made a primary goal to improve the image of their chapter both internally and externally on campus. Their successful recruitment in 1985 netted 32 new members. Their event calendar included Founders Day, Balloon Derby, a lingerie party, an Around the Wold Happy Hour and a 'Christmas by Candlelight' formal. Zeta Theta worked on philanthropies with other greeks to sed aid to Africa.
in 1987 the chapter focused on Ritual as a means to bring the chapter together. They initiated 26 new members. The social events included Valentines Day, St Patrick's day, a Black and White Formal and a "Moondance" semi Formal. Philanthropies included a Balloon Derby to benefit a local Children's Hospital and a Halloween Party co-hosted with Alpha Chi Rho.
In 1988 the chapter moved to a new location at 162 Allen Place. They initiated 22 new sisters. They enjoyed celebrating Founders Day with University of Connecticut. The Chapter was striving to increase spirit and appreciation of the fraternity by participating in many new activities including Open Rush.
Highlights of the 1990'sEdit
As the new decade arrived the chapter did a complete re-design of their recruitment plan. The Rush Chair, Kathleen Thomas, and her committee spent the summer designing a new rush manual for the chapter. Their goal was to Search Out Unique Pledges, or SOUP. The chapter pledged 28 new members.
As a bit of unique circumstance happened, there were 2 women who were initiated ahead of the Fall Recruitment class. One had been abroad when her pledge class was initiated, and the second was a transfer from another school This gave the chapter a great 'dress rehearsal' for the initiation of the 28 new members in the Fall Pledge Class..
Social Events included a Monday "movie night" at the Kappa House, a St Patrick's day party, a BBQ with Tri-Delta, and a Formal with the theme of "A nigh in the Tropics".
As a chapter the members worked with Habitat for Humanity creating homes for low income families.
The chapter continued to build enthusiasm for chapter events and saw a continued increase in participation in Kappa!
In 1991 the chapter was happy to see renovations to their chapter house! The kitchen was updated with new appliances and a new floor. A bathroom was added to the second floor.
Recruitment added a new skit with a western theme and the chapter welcomed 31 new members on bid day. There was pressure from the College Trustees about the Greek System. Kappa worked in a pro-active way to show that women can make positive changes to make the system safe for all members of the organizations on campus. Kappa worked with other greeks to help the Trinity Child Care Center.
Kappa had the highest GPA of all greeks, and higher then the all women campus average!!
Highlights of the 2000'sEdit
Zeta Theta has a busy fall each year as Sisters return from abroad and are welcomed into the chapter once again. They then jump into recruitment where around 80 women hope to join a sorority. Many wonderful candidates but only a limited number of spots. Happily 26 very qualified New members joined Zeta Theta with great enthusiasm. The chapter works hard with the many transitions of new and returning sisters, and focuses on making all feel welcome.
Community service is very important to the chapter. They created the Trinity College Relay for Life, a 24 hour event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The entire chapter participates in Trinity DO IT DAY to help with various projects in the Hartford Community. Members supported the Breast Cancer Walk as well as Halloween on Vernon.
The chapter balances having fun with working hard. They emphasize the importance of Community Service.
With so many busy women, and women traveling abroad scheduling of meeting times and keeping all involved is a challenge. Flexibility and cooperation is the key. Standards has instituted an attendance policy that allows members ways to make up missed meetings or events which helps to keep everyone up to date.
Highlights of 2014Edit
MEMBERSHIP
During the spring semester we did not take any new members because we do not take a spring pledge class due to the small size of our school. In the fall we took 19 new members who completed a 10-day program that explained and exhibited Kappa goals and ideals. During this 10 day period one member hosted the entire sorority at her house for a retreat in order for the new members to not only bond with each other, but to bond with the older members as well. After the 10-day period all 19 girls were initiated. Along with the 19 sophomores who were admitted, 6 juniors were initiated as well due to their new membership program being ended early by the Kappa national organization and their inability to be initiated as a result. The new membership program in the fall reflected necessary changes developed by our risk management chairman in conjunction with our new membership chairman to offer new members a true Kappa experience.
PHILANTHROPY
Throughout the 2014 year Zeta Theta made sure to uphold the philanthropic ideals associated with Kappa Kappa Gamma by participating in many philanthropic events that benefitted both Trinity and the surrounding Hartford area. Some events in which we participated and hosted are as follows:
-Kappa Kisses Created first Annual kappa Kisses Event. We sold “Kappa Kisses” to Trinity Community from Monday, Feb 10- Wednesday, Feb 12 during lunch and dinner. Our organization did not receive any profits from the fundraiser and donated $401 to the Interval House in Hartford, CT
-Relay for Life We had 100% participation from our chapter. We raised $700 for the charity.
- Greek Week Actively involved in planning Greek Week 2014 and planned all philanthropy events/fundraising activities for the week of Greek Week.
-Latino Community Services Throughout the spring semester members of our organization volunteered in their offices to help benefit the Hartford community.
-Trinity College “Do It Day” On Saturday, September 6th we gardened at the Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe house. This is an annual campus-wide event that helps “beautify” Hartford.
-Halloween on Vernon In conjunction with ACES and Psi Upsilon we helped organize games, face painting, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating for children from the Hartford community. We offered a safe and fun environment for children in the Hartford Community to enjoy Halloween festivities.
- Achieve Hartford Spelling Bee Each year Kappa Kappa Gamma volunteers at the school bordering campus to help put together a spelling bee for both students and parents. We help set up the event, organize the stage for the participants, and help guide parents and guests to the auditorium. After the event is over we take the leftover food to a nearby shelter in downtown Hartford.
-Thanksgiving Basket This past November we raised money to donate a basket filled with food for Thanksgiving so a family could enjoy a full thanksgiving meal.
-Pink Shabbat We raised money and made challah on November 21st to support the Hillel society.
-Sponsor a Snowman At the end of November we participated in this event by buying a gift for a young girl named Crystal for the holiday season.
-Capitol Squash This is a new philanthropy event our sorority has been participating in twice a week, along with other Greek organizations, we volunteer with this organization. It is an organization that combines a physical after school activity, squash, and tutoring for elementary school children in the Hartford area. We began this in the fall and will continue our participation through the end of the school year.
INVOLVEMENT OUTSIDE OF KAPPA
The members of Kappa Kappa Gamma are extremely diverse. We are involved in many clubs, teams, and organizations, and many have awards, accolades, and very noteworthy accomplishments. Out of the listed accomplishments and involvements below, many members of Kappa Kappa Gamma are applicable to multiple.
Academics:
Faculty honors
Teachers assistants Psi chi psychology honors society Honored for Outstanding Academic Achievements
Teachers assistant for environmental science and winter ecology
Research assistant for environmental science—made presentation at the geological society of America northeast conference in 2013
Presidential fellow for environmental science
Tri beta national biological society
Community:
Editor/Founder of literary arts magazine (Trinity Spine)
Members of relay for life planning committee Founder of Club Tennis Feature editor and writers of the Trinity College Tripod
Trinity College Tour Guides Member of barnyard organization Mock Trial members Student Task Force Member Mentor through ConnectiKids program Mentor through the InterArts program Student Volunteer at local Hartford Elementary School
Volunteer at the Montessori School
Orientation Leader
Assistant at Writing Center
First-year mentor
Intern at a Communications Office
Athletics:
Tennis Team Field Hockey
Dance Team
Club sailing
Club Tennis
AWARDS
Greek Woman of the Year- Emily Miscencik
Philanthropy Event of the Year
CHAPTER MEETINGS AND HOUSING
Meetings We hold weekly meetings in a classroom on campus every Wednesday night. The meetings usually last between 30 minutes to 60 minutes depending upon what needs to be covered in the meetings. We usually discuss any upcoming events that we have as a chapter and we vote on things that we want to organize and host in the future, whether they be philanthropic or with other organizations on campus.
Housing
During this past summer we moved from 32 Vernon Street Hartford, CT 06106 to 116 Allen Place Hartford, CT 06106. We were fully moved into and out of the old house in time for the new school year. We are renting our new house, as we did with our previous house. Our new house is much more up to date than our previous house and is closer to Trinity’s campus and is in a nicer location. Five sisters can live in the house and they reside on the second and third floors of the house. Their living space has a kitchen, living area, and bathroom that are separate from the meeting space that is available to all members on the first floor. The first floor offers a kitchen, bathroom, and living area as well. In addition there is a room with a bed dedicated to hosting visitors from Nationals. As a whole, our new house offers much better accommodations to those living in the house and for the chapter as a whole.
Highlights of 2015Edit
MEMBERSHIP
During the spring semester we did not take any new members because we do not take a spring pledge class due to the small size of our school. In the fall we took 19 new members who completed a 10-day program that explained and exhibited Kappa goals and ideals. During this 10-day period we hosted a retreat at our chapter’s house hosted the retreat in order for the new members to not only bond with each other, but to bond with the older members as well. After the 10-day period all 19 girls were initiated. Along with the 19 sophomores who were admitted. We continued new member education following the end of the school mandated 10-day period to insure that our new members would have a full understanding of what is expected of a member of Kappa and all of the great opportunities Kappa has to offer to each new member. The new membership program in the fall reflected necessary changes developed by our risk management chairman in conjunction with our new membership chairman to offer new members a true Kappa experience.
PHILANTHROPY Throughout the 2015-year Zeta Theta made sure to uphold the philanthropic ideals associated with Kappa Kappa Gamma by participating in many philanthropic events that benefitted both Trinity and the surrounding Hartford area. Some events in which we participated and hosted are as follows:
-Capitol Squash: This was a new philanthropy event our chapter participated in twice a week throughout the spring semester, along with other Greek organizations. It is an organization that combines a physical after school activity, squash, and tutoring for elementary school children in the Hartford area.
-Kappa Kisses: We continued our second annual Kappa Kisses Event. We sold “Kappa Kisses” (candy grams with baggies of Hershey kisses) to Trinity Community from Monday, Feb 9- Friday February 13 during lunch and dinner. Our organization did not receive any profits from the fundraiser and donated $1025 to the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services in Hartford, CT.
-Relay for Life: At the end of April we contributed our time and donations to the Relay for Life event Trinity held at the end of April. We had 100% participation from our chapter. We were able to raise around $700 for the charity.
- Greek Week: Actively involved in planning Greek Week 2014 and planned all philanthropy events/fundraising activities for the week of Greek Week at the end of April. We participated with all other Greek organizations on campus.
-Latino Community Services: Throughout the spring semester members of our organization volunteered in their offices to help benefit the Hartford community.
-Hartford Boys and Girls Club: Members of our organization volunteered weekly at the Boys and Girls club near our campus. This involved offering to help with afterschool activities and homework.
-Halloween on Vernon: In conjunction with ACES and Psi Upsilon we helped organize games, face painting, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating for children from the Hartford community. We offered a safe and fun environment for children and their families in the Hartford Community to enjoy Halloween festivities.
-Pink Shabbat: We raised money and made challah in November to support the Hillel society. We sold t-shirts to support the Hillel center and worked with members of the Hillel center to make challah for the Jewish holidays. This was a great bonding activity for the entire chapter and also allowed for many of us to interact with members of the Hillel center.
INVOLVEMENT OUTSIDE OF KAPPA The members of Kappa Kappa Gamma are extremely diverse. We are involved in many clubs, teams, and organizations, and many have awards, accolades, and very noteworthy accomplishments. Out of the listed accomplishments and involvements below, many members of Kappa Kappa Gamma are applicable to multiple.
Community: Editor/Founder of literary arts magazine (Trinity Spine)
Members of Relay for Life planning committee Founder of Club Tennis/ Club Tennis Participators
Feature editor and writers of the Trinity College Tripod
Trinity College Tour Guides Member of barnyard organization Mock Trial members Student Task Force Member Mentor through ConnectiKids program Mentor through the InterArts program Student Volunteer at local Hartford Elementary School
Volunteer at the Montessori School
Orientation Leader
Assistant at Writing Center
First-year mentor
Intern at a Communications Office
Singer with the female acapella group, Trinitones
Athletics: We have participated on the following teams: Tennis, Field Hockey Team, Soccer Team, Swimming and Diving Team, Equestrian Team,Dance Team, Club sailing, Club Tennis.
AWARDS: Philanthropy Event of the Year- We were awarded this for our Kappa Kisses event.
CHAPTER MEETINGS AND HOUSING Meetings In the spring semester we held weekly meetings in a classroom on campus every Wednesday night due to a majority of our chapter being on campus at the time. In the fall we held our meetings in the living room of our Kappa house because fewer people were on campus. The meetings usually last between 30 minutes to 60 minutes depending upon what needs to be covered in the meetings. We usually discuss any upcoming events that we have as a chapter and we vote on things that we want to organize and host in the future, whether they be philanthropic or with other organizations on campus.
Housing Two summers ago we moved from 32 Vernon Street Hartford, CT 06106 to 116 Allen Place Hartford, CT 06106. We were fully moved into our new house. We are renting our new house, as we did with our previous house. Our new house is much more up to date than our previous house and is closer to Trinity’s campus. It is in a nicer and safer location due to the fact that our school’s campus safety patrols the Allen place. Five sisters can live in the house and they reside on the second and third floors of the house. Their living space has a kitchen, living area, and bathroom that are separate from the meeting space that is available to all members on the first floor. The first floor offers a kitchen, bathroom, and living area as well. In addition, there is a room with a bed dedicated to hosting visitors from Nationals. As a whole, our new house offers much better accommodations to those living in the house and for the chapter as a whole.
Highlights of 2016Edit
Summary: The members of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Zeta Theta chapter are extremely diverse, yet the nature of our chapter is unified. We are involved in many clubs, teams, and organizations, and many have awards, accolades, and very noteworthy accomplishments. We work well together and treat each other with respect. This summer, we received an honorable mention for academic excellence at the National Convention. We pride ourselves on our academic success and continue to obtain the highest grade point average of all the Greek Organizations on Trinity’s campus.
Chapter Philanthropy: Throughout 2016, Zeta Theta made sure to uphold the philanthropic ideals associated with Kappa Kappa Gamma by participating in many philanthropic events that benefitted both Trinity and the surrounding Hartford area. Some events in which we participated and hosted are as follows:
Girls Academy: This year we were honored to be one of the 16 chapters, out of 140 chapters across the country, to be selected to hold a Girls Academy. Our chapter partnered with the Greater Hartford Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma and East Hartford middle school to offer 50 girls a unique, educational, day and a half long leadership retreat tailored specifically to the needs of middle school girls. Through the 5 aspects of the acronym GIRLS (Girls, Inspiring, Respect, Leadership, and Service), participants explored the issues of peer pressure, body image, bullying and finding their leadership potential—realities which they are faced with every day. The weekend consisted of a panel of inspirational women, talking about what it meant to be girls, learning about time-management, practicing public speaking, learning how to stand up against bullies, creating vision boards, and having fun! Members of our chapter took on the role of small group facilitators, leadership fair facilitator and logistics, and all sisters attended the graduation ceremony on Sunday where the girls performed skits and were awarded certificates of participation.
Kappa Kisses: We continued our tradition of holding the annual Kappa Kisses Event. We sold “Kappa Kisses” (candy grams with baggies of Hershey kisses) to the Trinity Community from Monday, Feb 9th- Friday February 13th during lunch and dinner at dining halls. Our organization did not receive any profits from the fundraiser and donated around $700 to the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services in Hartford, CT.
Relay for Life: At the end of April we contributed our time and donations to the Relay for Life event at Trinity held at the end of April. We had 100% participation from our chapter and were able to donate to this cause.
Greek Week: Our chapter was actively involved in planning Greek Week 2016. We planned philanthropy events and fundraising activities for the week of Greek Week at the end of April. We participated with all other Greek organizations on campus.
Halloween on Vernon: Every year,in conjunction with ACES and Psi Upsilon, we help organize games, face painting, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating for children from the Hartford community. We offered a safe and fun environment for children and their families in the Hartford Community to enjoy Halloween festivities.
Pink Shabbat: Zeta theta: We co-sponsored 11th annual pink Shabbat, an event where all the funds raised were donated to Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer.
BKind: For the second year, we worked with BKind, which was started to promote kindness in the world through random acts of kindness. Also, all donations to BKind are distributed to all different types of philanthropic projects around the world. During the week of November 13th-19th, as November 13th was National Kindness Day. We promoted random acts of kindness through raising money for BKind, motivational posters, thank you notes to Trinity’s staff, free coffee at our coffee shop, donating meals at dining halls to other students, etc. It was hugely successful and we would plan to partner with this organization in the future.
Project PACKS: Every other Thursday, we assisted with the packaging of backpacks for the Charleston house Project PACKS. Project PACKS, which stands for “providing academic change for kindling students,” is a campus organization that aims to help disadvantaged children focus in school. Working together with the Charleston House for Interfaith Cooperation, Project PACKS has donated an average of 40 food-filled backpacks per week to children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school, but may face hunger at home on the weekends.
Sponsoring "She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry:" Our chapter partnered with the Women & Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC) and sponsored a showing of this movie that recounts the stories of women who fought for their own equality, and in the process created a world-wide revolution.
Partnering with the House of Bread: The House of Bread provides food, housing & shelter, education, medical/psychological, and legal services to almost 2,000 people in the Hartford area every day. At lunch and dinner during the week of November 9th through the 18th we provided the opportunity for people to make food and/or money donations to help this cause. We were able to raise around $200 for this cause.
Food Recovery Network Thanksgiving fundraiser: Our chapter donated $45 to the Food Recovery Network thanksgiving fundraiser and assisted in delivering food to the food pantry that the Food Recovery Network partners with.
Highlights of 2017Edit
Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Zeta Theta chapter is comprised of many diverse, talented, and goal-oriented women. However, the members are all unified and share a strong sisterhood. Almost all of the members here at Trinity are involved in sports teams, clubs, and various organizations. Our own sister, Emily Claytor, is exceptional, as she won the election as SGA Student Body President of Trinity College. She is a strong leader and the whole chapter is proud of her leadership and excellence. Not only this, but Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Zeta Theta chapter continues to hold the highest grade point average of any greek organization at Trinity. We pride ourselves on our academic success and will continue to strive for academic excellence
Throughout the 2017 year, the Zeta Theta chapter participated in several philanthropic events, and many of them are held annually. These events help to create and foster relationships between the sisters and the people of the Hartford community. Below is a list of some events in which we have participated throughout the year:
● Kappa Kisses This year we continued our tradition of holding the annual Kappa Kisses Event. We sold “Kappa Kisses” (candy grams with baggies of Hershey kisses) to the Trinity Community the week before Valentine’s Day during lunch and dinner at dining halls. Our organization did not receive any profits from the fundraiser and donated around $700 to the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services in Hartford, CT.
● Masquerade Gala In April of 2017 we helped co-sponsor and supported a Gala event created by another fraternity on campus, St. Anthony’s Hall. In total we raised $5,000 for the House of Bread (each guest paid $20 to attend the event). The House of Bread is an organization that provides urban ministry to the economically disadvantaged in the Hartford area. Kappa individually contributed another $500 to the House of Bread.
● Girls Academy Follow Up Last year we were selected to be one of the 16 chapters out of 140 chapters across the country to hold a Girls Academy. Our chapter partnered with the Greater Hartford Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma and East Hartford middle school to offer 50 girls a unique, educational, day and a half long leadership retreat tailored specifically to the needs of middle school girls. Through the 5 aspects of the acronym GIRLS (Girls, Inspiring, Respect, Leadership, and Service), participants explored the issues of peer pressure, body image, bullying and finding their leadership potential—realities which they are faced with everyday. This past year we followed up with the girls who we had worked with and volunteered to go back to the school and check in with them and have a fun day filled with activities. It was heartwarming to see the girls again and see just how much they loved having us come last year. It was also so special to see that the girls remembered the volunteers from last year and were excited to see us again. It really showed the positive impact that we had on the girls and it was really great to see.
● Greek Week Our chapter was actively involved in planning Greek Week 2017. We planned philanthropy events and fundraising activities for the week of Greek Week at the end of April. We participated with all other Greek organizations on campus.
● Halloween on Vernon Every year, in conjunction with ACES and Psi Upsilon, we help organize games, face painting, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating for children from the Hartford community. We offered a safe and fun environment for children and their families in the Hartford Community to enjoy Halloween festivities.
● ProjectPACKS This year we participated in the ProjectPACKS program. Project PACKS, which stands for “providing academic change for kindling students,” is a campus organization and aims to help disadvantaged children focus in school. Working together with the Charleston House for Interfaith Cooperation, Project PACKS has donated an average of 40 food-filled backpacks per week to children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school, but may face hunger at home on the weekends.
● Backpacks for Benin This year we teamed up with a new sorority on campus, Alpha Chi Omega, and sponsored a backpacked and schools supplies drive called Backpacks for Benin. The mission was to bring gently used school supplies and backpacks for the schoolchildren in the Cinne Village non-profit organization in Benin, West Africa. We collected the school supplies during meals at Mather lunch and dinner from December 1st- December 7th.