Whether it’s our brave service men and women in Iraq or individuals in our community, SKD cares
At her Dallas home, Vera Moore receives a gift card from SKD member John Thomason.
North Lake College’s Sigma Kappa Delta, the national English Honor Order for the two-year college, has made an impact on the community by fund-raising around campus. The chapter has already donated to Operation USO Care Package to support four members of the armed forces who are based in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Another rewarding and memorable effort was made to Vera Landry Moore, a single mother in Dallas, who is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Sigma Kappa Delta’s helping hand fund-raising efforts.
Moore is an educated woman who has attained two college degrees, but was forced to retire at 51 because of health problems and move to Public Housing.
“In January, she returned home from work so fatigued that she decided to lie down for a bit,” said SKD advisor Dr. Phyllis Elmore, who met Moore though her community involvement. “Her nap was interrupted by fierce chest pains that she could not ignore. She somehow drove herself to the nearest hospital, where her physicians discovered that she had only three of four cylinders operating at full capacity in her heart, and the remaining chamber was at just 10 percent.”
She underwent emergency surgery, during which a pacemaker was installed. However, her journey to wholeness will be long and arduous. Moore is currently engaged in a rigorous physical therapy regimen, and she reports that she is slowly regaining her strength, but she has many challenges ahead.
Using fund-raising revenues, North Lake’s Sigma Kappa Delta chapter purchased a $120 WalMart food certificate for Moore, and SKD member John Thomason and Elmore drove to West Dallas in February to present the gift.
“We had a lovely visit,” said Elmore, “and John, a consummate volunteer and humane young man, detailed Mrs. Moore’s garbage, during our visit.”
Moore was in attendance at the induction of new members April 19. “We were pleased that she was able to join us as a guest, where we recognized her as a new friend to the society,” said Elmore.
Sigma Kappa Delta has launched a variety of fund-raising endeavors including bake sales, and sold bottled water at last week’s EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
“The students are very grateful for the opportunity to serve,” said Elmore. “In fact, one student, who lives in a distant community, drove into Dallas to help me present the food certificate to Mrs. Moore, last month,” she said. “
Our fund raisers continue, and we have an ongoing commitment to assist the needy in our community.”