Kappa Kappa Gamma 2020 Pilgrimage Postponed and Coronavirus Aid
We hope this letter finds you and your families safe and well during the coronavirus, a pandemic that has not only required people to adapt to sweeping change, but has also created desperate needs in communities across our city, the nation, and the world.
COVID-19 has also forced philanthropic organizations such as ours to postpone, cancel, or greatly alter their charitable events while still staying true to their missions. The Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation of Houston’s mission states: “to attract and generate financial support for distribution to charitable organizations which meet the established philanthropic guidelines.”
It is with our mission in mind that we write to you today.
After thoughtful consideration through a monthlong series of conversations, advice, meetings, and CDC guidance on COVID-19, the Foundation has made the difficult decision to reschedule our biennial Kappa Holiday Pilgrimage Home Tour from December 2020 to December 2022. Options for a possible 2021 Holiday Luncheon are currently being discussed by the Foundation.
We are so grateful to 2020 Pilgrimage Co-Chairmen Jeannie Chandler and Julie Comiskey, who have agreed to serve in the same capacity for our 2022 Pilgrimage. In this moment, we salute you—for your work, your passion, your flexibility, and your unbridled commitment to our mission!
Postponement of the Pilgrimage has only happened one other time in our history—that being during World War II. The first Pilgrimage was held two days prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and did not resume again until 1946. Since then, however, the event has become the longest running continually held home tour in Houston, occurring biennially for the past 74 years.
The net proceeds from the Pilgrimage, when combined with those from the biennial Holiday Luncheon, have enabled the Foundation to award grants to public charities in the Houston area totaling over $4.3 million.
As you might expect, community needs are abnormally great right now. The Foundation Board, upon the recommendation of the Foundation Philanthropy Committee, has identified 10 local public charities that are in tremendous need of immediate financial support due to the COVID-19 crisis. The 10 charities—all past recipients of our grants—are as follows:
BEAR…BE A Resource for CPS Kids
Boys & Girls Club Teen Center Food Pantry in the Heights
Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos
Covenant House of Texas
Ronald McDonald House Houston
Small Steps Nurturing Center
SpringSpirit
Trees of Hope
Wellsprings Village, Inc.
The Women’s Home
These charities are all struggling to meet critical basic needs, such as providing food, clothing, diapers, and school supplies. Accordingly, and in response to the immediate need, the Board has made the decision to immediately distribute approximately $76,000 to these agencies from existing funds.
Because the community needs are so great, if you would like to help support this unprecedented effort to meet the most pressing needs in our community, please click HERE. One hundred percent of your donation will go directly to the listed organizations.
Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation and your dedication to our mission.
Loyally,
The Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation of Houston 2019-2020 Board
Officers
Tara Mize, PresidentJulia DeWalch, Vice President
Stuart Hudson, Treasurer
Ruth Anne Douglass, Secretary
Trustees
Kimberly Connell, Governance/BylawsKimberly Dominy, Long Range Planning
Julie Donaldson, Long Range Planning Assistant
Carrie Fisher, Communications Assistant
Andria Frankfort, Nominating
Heather Herrold, Controller
Martha Johnson, KKG Houston Alumnae Association President-Elect
Catherine Lane, Communications
Clare Leppert, Treasurer Assistant
Joy Randall, Philanthropy
Susan Reasoner, Legal/Insurance
Joan Stedman, Trustee At-Large
Karen Ytterberg, KKG Houston Alumnae Association President