Last year, Melissa Wasser, president of the Kappa Chi chapter of Delta Zeta, and her sorority sisters witnessed a little girl hearing her parents’ voices for the first time. The gift of sound came in part through proceeds from DZ’s annual Run for Noise.
“Seeing the video of her hearing her parents for the first time was one of the most rewarding things to see,” Wasser said. “It’s good to see where the money we raised went.”
On Saturday, Youngstown State University’s chapter of Delta Zeta will host its fourth Run for Noise 5k. At last year’s race, DZ raised $1,400. All proceeds went to the sorority’s hearing and speech philanthropy.
This year, the sisters hope to raise more than $2,000 to split up among different philanthropies including Gallaudet University — a chartered university for the deaf and hard of hearing — as well as the Starkey Hearing Foundation, The Painted Turtle camp for terminally ill children, and the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center.
Amanda Bowers, Delta Zeta’s philanthropy chair, said it was an honor to be able to organize this year’s Run for Noise. She said she believes the race is a really good way for people to participate physically as well as donate for a greater cause.
“Hearing and speech are two things we take for granted,” Bowers said. “Delta Zeta does everything they can to prevent hearing loss and inform people about those who suffer from hearing and speech disabilities.”
Bowers also said that besides the race, the sisters travel to the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center to give treat bags to each of the children on holidays. She said they always do their best to support everything that the center does.
Registration for the race will begin at 8:30 a.m. by the tennis courts across from the Watson and Tressel Training Site; the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the run at 10 a.m. The race will be $25, or $20 for members of Greek Life. There will also be a basket raffle and a 50/50 auction.
Brittany Slattery, Delta Zeta’s adviser, said she hopes the chapter will make an impact with the philanthropy event.
“It is part of our creed to help others,” Slattery said. “We want to give back graciously and really encourage everyone to participate in our event.”
Wasser said the sorority will honor the victims of the Boston bombings before the race.
“We will be having a moment of silence for those live, lost and injured individuals in the Boston bombing,” Wasser said. “We will be taking donations for the One Fund for Boston all this week in Kilcawley and on Saturday.”
Sorority members will be stationed in Kilcawley Center this week for sign-ups and information tables on this year’s 5k Run for Noise.