Beta Sigma Phi Fundraiser
- Lifestyles
- Special Interest
Author: Beta Sigma Phi
Released 21 August 2006
Purchase Saudi Arabian Throw from the Aramco ExPat's Suq
Beta Sigma Phi is an international service and social sorority that has chapters in thirty countries. Preceptor Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, formed in Dhahran in 1994, is one of the chapters in Saudi Arabia. Since its inception, many women living in the Eastern Province have contributed to its success.
Because service is a priority, fundraising to generate money for charities has taken various forms. Prior to 1998, bake sales and raffles were the main venue. In 1998 the members of Preceptor Alpha decided to investigate a more effective way to raise money. A committee was formed to design a woven throw that would reflect familiar and generally well-known sights of Saudi Arabia.
Gathering designs to include in the throw was the first step. Ideas came from pictures in books and postcards. The Little Blue Mosque at the entrance gate of Dhahran was a unanimous choice by the committee. Another landmark used was the clock tower on the campus of KFUPM (King Faisal University of Petroleum and Minerals). Wendy Cocker graciously allowed us to use and edit her famous photo of camels crossing a highway overpass. The committee created the center design of dates, basket, and palm branches. After working with a manufacturer in the USA, the completed design was submitted and production began.
Since the first order was received eight years ago, sales have been impressive. The increased revenue has allowed us to generously support a much wider variety of charities. Through their purchase, not only do people get a wonderful memoir of their time in Saudi Arabia, but they are also helping others around the world. Outreach has been extended to charities in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and America. Funds have been sent to help those affected by world disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and wars. Supporting women and children has been important. Some charities have meant something personally to our own members such as hospice care or research for cures of childhood illnesses. Maintaining a small annual scholarship to help support Gurange ("Guru") Weerauppulige, a former custodian at the Dhahran Hills Elementary School, is one cause near and dear to our hearts. A teacher at the Hills School, also a BSP member, tutored Guru in English and math until he passed his GDE and SATs. He is now starting his senior year in Electronic Engineering at Chicago’s DeVry University, holding a 3.88 GPA. To view the names of many of the charities to which we have contributed, please see the list below.
We are indebted to Aramco ExPats for donating their time and effort to market our throw on their site. Through this generous act, we will be able to widen the circle of charities to which we donate and even more people will benefit.
- Abena Kwabena Academy in Ghana
- Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia
- Books and Babies Project in Texas
- Breast Cancer Research
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Food Bank of Nevada
- Heifer International
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
- Locks of Love
- Memorial Scholarship Fund
- National Sports Center for the Disabled
- Operation Iraqi Children
- Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand
- Periclean Scholar HIV project in Namibia
- Periclean Scholar Malnutrition project in Honduras
- Red Cross
- Save the Children
- Shoes for Iraqi Children
- Sudanese Refugees in Cairo, Egypt
- Tabitha of Cambodia