The Seattle Alumni Chapter (SAC) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. hosted their annual “Shop with a KAPPA” event last Saturday in Renton, WA. Through partnerships with local businesses, the fraternity was able to provide forty-three children from underserved communities with a $100 shopping spree at a local Wal-Mart store.
The annual event, started by Rod O’Neal of the Las Vegas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, has helped provide holiday gifts for many families on the West Coast.
“Since its’ inception 7-years ago, the “Shop with a Kappa” event has generated over $90,000 to benefit participating families in Las Vegas, Seattle and Southern California families,” says O’Neal. “It is with great pleasure that I sponsor this program annually. The smiles from the kids and joy in the eyes of the parents, warms your heart.”
This year, SAC was able to raise $5,000 for the program. While designed as a standalone program, many of the children paired the $100 gift with money of their own to shop for their respective families. Boys and girls of various nationalities and school districts participated in the program. The $5,000 for 43-participants this year is an increase from $3,800 for 37 in 2016.
“This is a fun, festive time for our members and our community,” said Mark Hatcher, Polemarch of The Seattle Alumni Chapter. “Shop with a Kappa” showed our altruistic spirit. Each year, this program helps us to be more supportive and involved within our community. We are looking forward to continued growth and even greater participation next year.”
