Happy Founder's Day to my fellow ESA sisters and brothers!
For those who don't know, ESA stands for Epsilon Sigma Alpha. ESA is an international service group that raises money and supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Easter Seals, Hope for Heroes, and many other local and national projects.
As a member of ESA, you not only help others by giving your time, talent, and treasures, but you are also able to grow as an individual through educational and social events.
ESA allows you to meet so many people from across the country and world that enjoy the same things as you. The members of ESA care about each other and go 'Above and Beyond' for each other. They 'Believe' in each other. ESA members encourage and support each other through every obstacle that is thrown at them. ESA members want to change the world, one small step at a time.
ESA members want to help fulfill Danny Thomas' dream that "No Child Shall Die in the Dawn of Life." ESA members work long hours at Dream Homes, Math-A-Thons, runs, Phone-A-Thons, and numerous other events that help STJ. ESA members make the long trek to Memphis or other STJ Affiliates to visit the patients of St. Jude.
ESA members collect ink cartridges for Hope for Heroes. They send care packages to the soldiers serving both overseas and in the US. They volunteer at the local VFW.
ESA members collect books and toys for Easter Seals. ESA members raise funds so that children and adults with disabilities and their families may receive services from Easter Seals.
To me, ESA is my second family. ESA is a part of my life and a part of who I am. When I think of ESA, I think of the hundreds of men and women whom I have encountered because of ESA and their love of giving back and helping others.
ESA has taught me the importance of giving back to the community. ESA has also taught me the importance of sharing my talents to help others. ESA has allowed me to find my passion for supporting Easter Seals and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. ESA has allowed me to make an uncountable number of friends-many of whom I consider family. ESA has taught me so much more than I will ever know.
The members of ESA have taught be how to be a woman. They have given me guidance on how to address and interact with others, how to dress properly for different occasions, how to have fun while still taking care of business, how to care for others, and how to reach for my dreams.
The men and women of ESA support, encourage, and love me more than I will ever know. I will always be grateful to ESA for all of the memories.
On this Founder's Day, I want to give a special thank-you to the late Avril Marie for introducing my mom to ESA. Without ESA, my family and I would be completely different. I truly cannot imagine my life without ESA.
"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's about what you do for others." ~Danny Thomas~
