Ponte Vedra/Beaches Alumnae Chapter History

No one could miss the growth in the Jacksonville Beaches area during the 1980s and '90s.  In 1990 there were about 30 Delta Gammas in the area, but by January, 1995,  the number on a printout had increased to 57.  Delta Gamma Vice-president Alumnae Carole Soper was among the newcomers, and in February, 1995, she and Fraternity Historian Fran Stevenson invited those women to come to coffee at Carole's home.  About 20 came and others called their regrets because of other commitments but indicated an interest in a Delta Gamma alumnae organization in this area.

At the coffee it was agreed to form an association, with Elizabeth Knowles Anderson, a recent Gamma Theta president, volunteering to serve as president, the impetus the group needed.  Meetings were held regularly the following year, and Elizabeth attended Convention in June, 1996, in St. Louis, winning second place award as a Premier Alumnae Association.  The group voted to apply for an alumnae chapter charter.  Deed accomplished, and the Ponte Vedra/Beaches chapter was a voting member of the 1998 Convention in Atlanta.

With Pat Gay's association with the St. Johns County schools, vision screening became a prime project, soon joined by tape recording for the blind.  The chapter has varied its meeting days, but usually meets on Saturday to accommodate those who are employed.  Programs have been varied and interesting.

Fund raising was not a major factor until 1999 when a successful presentation by a Fraternity Expansion Team at the University of North Florida heralded the installation of a chapter on that campus in November, 1999.  A garage sale was planned and earned more than $700.  A major concern ahead is assistance to this new collegiate chapter which was pledged as a colony on April 21, 1999.  Aunt Hannah's were assigned (10 from Ponte Vedra/Beaches and 13 from Jacksonville) as special friends to individual members of the colony.

This chapter continues to be available to support community programs which aid the visually handicapped.  We have been sponsors of and take part in the Vision Awareness Walk which raises funds for the Independent Living for the Adult Blind organization, and we continue to host a Valentine Party for the children at the state school for the deaf and blind in St. Augustine, a hands-on affair where the children decorate everything from posters to cookies and balloons.  Some of our members are vision screeners for the St. Johns County Schools.

One not to be forgotten event in this area in 2001 was the induction of Judy Bell into the World Golf Hall of Fame.  Some were able to attend the ceremony which honored Judy's contributions to the sport and her service as first woman president of the USGA.

                                                 2009-2010 Dues

Bronze:  $40                Contact:  Nancy Peacock - Treasurer
Pink:      $50                              budlarge@aol.com
Blue:      $60
    (Pay any of the 3 level of dues you desire)

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