Delta Zeta chapters across the United States participate in fundraising for our National Philanthropic cause: the speech and hearing impaired and the Painted Turtle. Delta Zeta’s national philanthropic project is the Sound Beginnings Program. Delta Zeta also supports Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. It is the only speech and hearing impaired university in the country. In addition to supporting Gallaudet, Delta Zeta supports the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, California. The Delta Zeta Foundation makes annual grants to Delta Zeta alumnae chapters to assist with local service projects in hearing centers, schools, and clinics. At the 2006 National Convention, Delta Zeta adopted two more philanthropies: The Painted Turtle and The Starkey Hearing Foundation.

                                                        
Gallaudet University was adopted as Delta Zeta’s national philanthropy in 1954. Located in Washington, D.C., it is the only university in the world devoted exclusively to the hearing impaired. Delta Zeta furnished and maintains the Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Library and contributes to the Delta Zeta-Gallaudet Endowment Scholarship for hearing impaired students. More than $12,000 in Delta Zeta scholarships are awarded annually to Gallaudet students. Delta Zeta is very important to Gallaudet University. We have donated enough money to pay for the "Delta Zeta Floor," where the Gallaudet dancers learn through the vibrations in the floor. To learn more about Gallaudet University, visit them at www.gallaudet.edu.

                                                               
House Ear Institute, located in Los Angeles, California, was added in 1985 as a national philanthropy. Established in 1946, it has sought to improve hearing aids and auditory implants and develop innovative treatments and innovative methods in the area of hearing loss. Our first project for the Institute was the furnishing of a parents' conference room. For more information on the House Ear Institute visit their website at www.hei.org.

                                                                
Sound Beginnings Program was adopted as a national philanthropy in July 2004. Sound Beginnings raises awareness of the need for newborn hearing screening and the importance of starting early intervention when a hearing loss is identified before six months of age. To learn more about the Sound Beginnings Program visit their website at http://www.infanthearing.org/checkpoint/deltazeta/.

                                                              
The Starkey Hearing Foundation was added as a national philanthropy at the 2006 National Convention. The Foundation conducts over 150 missions in countries around the world. These missions include giving away hearing instruments and promoting hearing impairment education. To learn more about the foundation visit their website at http://www.sotheworldmayhear.org/home/index.php.

                                                                 
The Painted Turtle is multi-disease camp and family care center for children with life-threatening illnesses. Through educational, therapeutic, safe, and just plain fun summer camp and year-round programs, The Painted Turtle provides a life-changing experience to children whose daily struggles often diminish both their desire to be well and their ability to lead a rich, productive life. For more information visit the Painted Turtle at http://www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle/.