Mrs. Polizzotto Goes to Maine

The Sigma Kappa group who made the pilgrimage to the home of our beloved Alpha Chapter.

We are fortunate to have Sigma Kappa Foundation Trustee, Susan Polizzotto, as a member of the La Jolla Alumnae Chapter. We caught up with Susan after a recent trip to Maine with other Sigma Kappa celebrities, like our dear National President, Laura Owsley. Their adventure included a visit with our oldest philanthropic partnership, Maine Sea Coast Mission and a tour of Colby College. Susan was gracious enough to share some of her thoughts about the trip and some fantastic photos with our chapter blog. This will give you a sneak peek into an upcoming article in the Sigma Kappa Triangle. Enjoy!

The Sunbeam. The trusty ship that makes deliveries to remote islands off the coast of Maine.

The Foundation has had the privilege to be one of the top supporters for the Maine Sea Coast Mission. We have continued the tradition of supporting a philanthropy that was decided at the 1918 Convention to honor our Founders and the Alpha Chapter. Our members and chapters donate money and gifts to support various Maine Sea Coast Mission programs such as their annual Christmas program where over 3,000 people in coastal and island communities receive gifts from the Mission, emergency relief programs and scholarships. Though the "times have changed", and our national philanthropies have evolved and grown, Sigma Kappa's belief in providing philanthropic service and support to our communities has not changed.

An upstairs room at the Maine Sea Coast Mission where gifts are wrapped for the Christmas Program.

For me, I thought that this would be one of those "once in a Sigma Kappa lifetime" experiences. I couldn't have imagined a more meaningful and symbolic way to celebrate the past 100 years of partnership with the Maine Sea Coast Mission than with a trip to Colby College, where Sigma Kappa all started and participate in philanthropic service by wrapping Christmas gifts at the Maine Sea Coast Mission. 

National President, Laura Owsley putting on the final touch - the signature red string around the white butcher paper wrap

Susan participating in a hands-on philanthropy project by wrapping gifts

It's hard to say there was just ONE thing that was the best out of the entire weekend. If I had to pick it would be 1) perusing through the historical archives at Colby College and
viewing the pictures and memorabilia from our Founders and Alpha Chapter members and 2) "Shopping" and wrapping gifts for the Christmas program at the Maine Sea Coast Mission.

A table of Alpha Chapter photgraphs from the Colby College archives.

Sigma Kappa is one of, if not the largest, donor to the Maine Sea Coast Mission.  We
MAKE a difference to the island communities in Maine. The Christmas program provides gifts to needy families during the holiday season. Our monetary donations support the emergency relief program (providing assistance with food, clothing, shelter, and medical needs) and scholarships for young men and women giving them the opportunity to pursue education beyond high school. The Maine Sea Coast Mission may not be nationally well known, but it is incredibly heartwarming and fulfilling to know that we still are able to honor our Founders and the early Sigma Kappa members in Maine who volunteered their
time in support of this missionary.

Loyally in Sigma Kappa,
Susan Polizzotto

Maine Sea Coast Mission headquarters. This was donated by the Campbell family (as in Campbell Soup!)

The Mary Low dormitory

Louise Helen Coburn dormitory