This summer, Beta Tau Delta celebrated 100 years of supporting the youth of Greene County by giving hundreds of prizes to children throughout the county. The celebration culminated with the dedication of a historical plaque on the north side of the square.
On July 25, Deb McGinn, chairman of the promotions committee and Tower View Team for Jefferson Matters, dedicated one of the newest bronze historical plaques on the courthouse square to Beta Tau Delta. In July 1917, 10 local women formed the organization that has been devoted to the needs of children, community projects and programs for youth, and activities that benefit young people for the last century.
After the dedication ceremony, Beta members started distributing 100 free movie passes to children present at the July 25 farmers market that featured special activities for children.
Free ice cream cones at Twiins Shop were the prize in June for all children participating in summer reading programs at the Jefferson, Churdan, Grand Junction, Paton, Rippey and Scranton libraries.
In May, free pool passes were offered to the first 100 children in Jefferson and the first 100 children in Grand Junction to claim them. Plus $2,750 was donated to the Bell Tower Foundation to cover admissions for all children to the top of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower during 2017.
Over the past century, the women of Beta Tau Delta have dedicated countless hours and raised thousands of dollars to provide assistance for limitless needs from prenatal care to college scholarships; basic needs like food and clothing to specialized equipment such as hearing aids and infant feeding tubes; services such as dental check-ups to swimming lessons; special programs for the county’s libraries to utility bill assistance for the Webb House; and opportunities like the Blank Park Zoo trip for all second graders in the county to formal attire for county proms.
“Without the support of the many citizens of Greene County who respond to our various fundraising efforts, none of the support provided by Beta Tau Delta would be possible,” commented Beta president Sandi Drewry. “Those donations have made it possible for the needs of countless children, youth organizations, and youth programs to be met for many, many years.”
