Warm Hearts, Warm Dorms

When Mary, Kansas State, read a 2005 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune about a local woman named Bernice who was headed to the University of Virginia with a full scholarship despite overcoming tough circumstances in her life, Mary thought about all of the things Bernice would need — everything from extra-long sheets to towels, shower caddies, and more—that would not be covered by the scholarship.

Mary’s acquaintance, Carol, Arizona State, worked as a counselor at Bernice’s high school—Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI), a school on a mission to help minority students become first in their family to attend college. Mary decided to send an anonymous donation to Carol on behalf of Bernice when she fortuitously received a call from the San Diego Alumnae Panhellenic Association asking if she could present a scholarship to BLCI. Mary agreed.

On the day of the scholarship presentation, Mary learned that along with Bernice, seven other students from BLCI were headed to college that year. Most of their families could not afford even a spare towel, so Mary promised to find supplies for all of them.

Mary reached out to friends, neighbors and Kappa sisters to ask for help, raising $1,435 to purchase dorm supplies. “While we didn’t witness it firsthand, we learned there were tears, shrieks of joy and total amazement that anonymous women made this happen for them,” Mary says. While the supplies are in demand, Mary says it’s the support and caring that means the most to the students she supports.

Fifteen years later, Mary’s nonprofit organization, Warm Dorm, raises about $10,000 each year. This year, 21 graduating seniors received supplies, including spirit gear from each student’s college destination.