Supporting D&HHS A Natural Fit for Local Psi Iota Xi Chapter

The local chapter of a national organization with a focus on giving back to their communities has been making a difference at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

Psi Iota Xi is a women’s philanthropic and service organization with over 400 chapters, including four in Michigan.

Members of Eta Sigma, the Grand Rapids chapter, said the decision to support an organization that advocates for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing was a natural fit for the chapter.

“In addition to donating monies to organizations in our respective communities,” they said, “we also volunteer our time to support their needs or events. Our chapter is small — fewer than 20 members — but we donated just under $7,000 this past fiscal year, in addition to goods or services.”

Each year the chapter selects and votes on the organizations to support.

“We especially feel drawn to the services of D&HHS and donated $1,000 to them this past year, plus gifts for the annual family Christmas party and also monetary support for the summer Kids Kamp. And we’ve assisted in wrapping gifts for their Christmas party and participated in the Mayfest auctions.”

Deb Atwood, executive director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, gets emotional when she talks about the support of the Eta Sigma chapter.

“We run on a shoestring budget,” she said, “and in a time of COVID, we have seen funding reduced but need for our services increase. So every little bit helps. People talk about philanthropy as gifts of time, talent, and treasures. What’s great about Eta Sigma is they give us all three. We are so immensely grateful.”

Psi Iota Xi was founded in 1897. According to the org’s website: “The original intent was to bring more diverse cultural experiences to their communities. Music and art were introduced to these towns with the funds that the women raised. As the organization grew, literature and literacy became an added focus. Now the sphere of interest has grown to include helping those with speech and hearing difficulties.”

See https://www.psiiotaxi.org/

Also see: https://www.facebook.com/PsiIotaXi/