Tri Kappa awards over $1.9 million in Indiana

Officers and members of the Huntington Chi active and associate chapters attended the Tri Kappa Regional Training Conference held in Alexandria, Indiana, this past weekend. Tri Kappa is a philanthropic organization existing only within the state of Indiana. Membership totals over 6,500 women in more than 200 active and associate chapters. Tri Kappa members donate approximately $1.5 million every year to charity, culture and education in their own communities and to projects throughout Indiana.

Officers and members attending from the Huntington associate chapter were president Kay Schwob and treasurer Jill Owens. Those attending from the active chapter were president Heather Sandlin, vice president; Samantha Garcia and corresponding secretary Jen Ferris. State personnel attending included Province VIII officer Lori Mickley and Mental Health state chair Angie Garcia.

The conference included a keynote address from council president Stephanie Oyler, from the Bloomington, Indiana, Alpha chapter, and included reports on state committee projects. Garcia reported on Tri Kappa funds awarded $7,000 to mental health organizations in the last fiscal year. The goal will be to match that in this fiscal year. Locally, Huntington active and associate chapters fundraise in order to support a number of local organizations. In recent years, a few of the Huntington area organizations benefiting were New Life Meal Ministry, Huntington City Police Department, Blessings in a Backpack, McKenzie’s Hope, By the Book, Parkview Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County, Huntington City-Township Public Library, Place of Grace, 4-H Fair, Huntington Theatre Guild, ACT II, The Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center and PAL – Shop with a Cop. In addition, scholarships are awarded from both the active and associate chapters.

Tri Kappa chapters throughout the state, in the last fiscal year, report philanthropy projects and scholarships funds awarded totaled $1,973,600. Mickley, Province officer and Huntington Chi 26-year member, stated, “Reflecting on the charitable donations, Tri Kappa has given over the past year fills me with immense pride and deep gratitude. It reaffirms my belief in the power of collective action and the goodness that thrives when people come together for a common purpose. Each donation made, whether it is a scholarship to a student, donation to an organization, or community program has been done with intention, which is powerful and humbling. I’m honored to be part of an organization that leads with heart, and I’m excited for all the good we will continue to do in the years ahead.”