Ava Martin
The University of North Georgia’s Delta Zeta sorority hosted a 5K fundraiser on Saturday, Sep. 27, at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega. The event raised $7572.00 and had over 200 people sign up to support. The money will go to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Delta Zeta Foundation.
The event organizer Megan Cooney, a senior marketing major at UNG and Delta Zeta’s vice president of philanthropy, said, “I wanted to do something different this year than we have previously. I grew up as a runner because I played soccer for 14 years, and running was always something me and my dad did together. It was special father-daughter time, so this event had a lot of different inspirations.”
She said, “I would love it to be an annual thing, but I want the next VP of [Philanthropy] to do an event they’re passionate about too…This year, I worked to establish our 5K so that if they did do it next year, it would be even more successful.”
Ansley Harkness, a member of Delta Zeta, said, “The event went so well…We had an amazing turnout, everyone loved our vendors, the weather was perfect for the race, and I am more than happy with the amount of money raised! To me, being a part of a sorority is all about generosity. As a Delta Zeta woman, it’s so important to pour back into others and use the outlet I have to make a difference”
Ava Martin, a freshman interdisciplinary studies major at UNG and member of Delta Zeta, helped set up the event and “pump up the runners.” She also shared that she loved the philanthropic mission the sorority has by saying, “I have a deaf sister who got cochlear implants at a young age, and it changed her life in many ways…I love that we can be a small part of helping children and adults from all walks of life get the experience of hearing.”