This week we interviewed Libby McNabb ’19, the Philanthropy Chair of Kappa Kappa Gamma, to get more insight into this years second annual Kappasta fundraising event. On Sunday April 2nd, Kappa will be hosting an all you can eat dinner at their house to raise money for Reading is Fundamental. After learning more about the event, hopefully you and a few of your friends will be inspired to get off campus, eat dinner at Kappa, and help raise money for this great non-profit!
What is like being the philanthropy chair for Kappa?
I get to encourage all the girls in Kappa to make a difference in the community. With events like Kappasta, we can all come together to benefit our nonprofit that we care deeply about. Furthermore, I find my position to be unique because my job is to connect Kappa to our surrounding community. The opportunity of holding the position as philanthropy chair has allowed me to extend our passion for our nonprofit to our school and neighbors.
What’s your favorite part about living in the house?
I enjoy living in the house for a simple reason, I feel at home. The atmosphere of living in the house is one of high energy, and is filled with girls with whom I truly enjoy spending my time. There is never a dull moment and I can always find a place to relax and do my work, or find people who are around to hangout. Overall, I find living in the Kappa house to be a positive environment where I am privileged to be surrounded by smart, fun-loving people.
Can you tell us a little bit about the non profit you raise money for?
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is the leading nonprofit for children’s literacy. This organization began in 1966 with a small group of people wanting to provide books to children so that they could increase the literacy rate. Today they have distributed more than 412 million books to children all over the United States, helping over 40 million children improve their ability to read. Illiteracy is a major issue in the United States and RIF is working to lower that number. 43% of American adults are functionally illiterate, therefore it is non profits like RIF that are striving to help and encourage the next generation receive the opportunity to know how to read.
What are a few of the ways that you raise money for Reading is Fundamental?
Kappasta is our main event for Reading is Fundamental this year. All the proceeds from the event go to benefit Reading is Fundamental. With this nonprofit, it isn’t just about donating money to the organization. We also make direct book donations for the children in America to begin or continue their reading skills. Additionally, over the years Kappa has gone into local schools or libraries to read aloud with the children and get them excited about reading.
Tell us more about Kappasta:
Kappasta is an all you can eat pasta dinner served at the Kappa house. Food is always a good way to bring the community together for a good cause. Kappasta is a very new event that Kappa does on campus, as this is our second year doing it. We are now making the event annual and thus it will be a pleasure watching it grow over the years to come.