Villanova sorority sisters brew one strong cup of caring
Sorority members of Villanova’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter banded together to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer by holding a public health event for the community.
The sorority held a breast health event for women by partnering with Keystone Mercy and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia at the Parkside ShopRite in Philadelphia Sept. 11.
Throughout the event, titled “The Caring Cup,” the sorority sisters handed out pink ribbons, and sold and gave free samples of Caring Cup coffee.
In addition, health professionals offered free information and mammograms to women who attended.
By the end of the day, the sorority estimated about 100 mammograms were provided to Keystone Mercy members.
The funds raised from the sale of Caring Cup coffee will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In October the Villanova sorority will help sponsor a breast cancer awareness week at the college by selling the Caring Cup coffee on campus and by holding a vigil for breast cancer victims and survivors on Oct. 22.
Sorority members will also sell ribbons and Caring Cup coffee at football events and during a bake sale they will hold at the college.
The coffee can be purchased in selected ShopRite stores throughout the Philadelphia area.
Kappa Kappa Gamma philanthropy chair Katie Talamo said the sorority will sell luminaries at the Oct. 22 vigil in memory of those who have died from breast cancer and in honor of those who are currently fighting the disease.
Talamo, a communications major, joined the sorority during her sophomore year in 2007.
The Caring Cup coffee initiative was started by the Kappa Kappa Gamma Villanova chapter when Talamo’s mother, Linda Rosanio, president of Star Group marketing firm, helped the sorority form a partnership with Susan G. Komen Philadelphia affiliate.
Now a college senior, Katie Talamo is honored to help out with the cause, especially because her aunt, Lisa Fellman, is a breast cancer survivor.
“A lot of the girls’ families or friends in our chapter have been affected by cancer in some way, which motivated us to hold a fundraiser,” Talamo said. “It feels really great to help make a difference and bring awareness to the cause.”
Breast cancer survivor Lisa Fellman attended the Sept. 11 gathering, and has participated in breast cancer walks that benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure even before her own diagnosis in 2003.
Fellman, of Voorhees, N.J., is not only Talamo’s aunt, but also her godmother. She has been in remission for six years.
In addition to walking and attending breast cancer awareness events and fundraisers, Fellman makes an effort to talk with women who are enduring breast cancer.
Since Fellman was diagnosed, she’s noticed that the breast cancer community is very supportive.
“When I meet people who are survivors or people who are trying to make a difference, it really means a lot. The girls have been terrific in fundraising and just the fact that they are reaching out to make women aware is a positive thing,” Fellman said.
Kappa Kappa Gamma president Julianne Rowland is a senior communications major who joined the sorority in her freshman year in 2007.
About 25 sorority volunteers have been selling the coffee at ShopRite and Acme stores around the Main Line. She hopes other Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority chapters join in the effort as well.
Rowland said the fundraiser closely follows the sorority’s overall mission to promote academics, community involvement, future goals, leadership and philanthropy.
“The caring cup is a new project and a great opportunity for us and our generation as a whole to make a difference. It’s an amazing opportunity to go outside of campus and reach the surrounding communities. We are really fortunate to be a part of it,” Rowland said.
For more information visit the Web site at www.thecaringcup.org.
The sorority held a breast health event for women by partnering with Keystone Mercy and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia at the Parkside ShopRite in Philadelphia Sept. 11.
Throughout the event, titled “The Caring Cup,” the sorority sisters handed out pink ribbons, and sold and gave free samples of Caring Cup coffee.
In addition, health professionals offered free information and mammograms to women who attended.
By the end of the day, the sorority estimated about 100 mammograms were provided to Keystone Mercy members.
The funds raised from the sale of Caring Cup coffee will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In October the Villanova sorority will help sponsor a breast cancer awareness week at the college by selling the Caring Cup coffee on campus and by holding a vigil for breast cancer victims and survivors on Oct. 22.
Sorority members will also sell ribbons and Caring Cup coffee at football events and during a bake sale they will hold at the college.
The coffee can be purchased in selected ShopRite stores throughout the Philadelphia area.
Kappa Kappa Gamma philanthropy chair Katie Talamo said the sorority will sell luminaries at the Oct. 22 vigil in memory of those who have died from breast cancer and in honor of those who are currently fighting the disease.
Talamo, a communications major, joined the sorority during her sophomore year in 2007.
The Caring Cup coffee initiative was started by the Kappa Kappa Gamma Villanova chapter when Talamo’s mother, Linda Rosanio, president of Star Group marketing firm, helped the sorority form a partnership with Susan G. Komen Philadelphia affiliate.
Now a college senior, Katie Talamo is honored to help out with the cause, especially because her aunt, Lisa Fellman, is a breast cancer survivor.
“A lot of the girls’ families or friends in our chapter have been affected by cancer in some way, which motivated us to hold a fundraiser,” Talamo said. “It feels really great to help make a difference and bring awareness to the cause.”
Breast cancer survivor Lisa Fellman attended the Sept. 11 gathering, and has participated in breast cancer walks that benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure even before her own diagnosis in 2003.
Fellman, of Voorhees, N.J., is not only Talamo’s aunt, but also her godmother. She has been in remission for six years.
In addition to walking and attending breast cancer awareness events and fundraisers, Fellman makes an effort to talk with women who are enduring breast cancer.
Since Fellman was diagnosed, she’s noticed that the breast cancer community is very supportive.
“When I meet people who are survivors or people who are trying to make a difference, it really means a lot. The girls have been terrific in fundraising and just the fact that they are reaching out to make women aware is a positive thing,” Fellman said.
Kappa Kappa Gamma president Julianne Rowland is a senior communications major who joined the sorority in her freshman year in 2007.
About 25 sorority volunteers have been selling the coffee at ShopRite and Acme stores around the Main Line. She hopes other Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority chapters join in the effort as well.
Rowland said the fundraiser closely follows the sorority’s overall mission to promote academics, community involvement, future goals, leadership and philanthropy.
“The caring cup is a new project and a great opportunity for us and our generation as a whole to make a difference. It’s an amazing opportunity to go outside of campus and reach the surrounding communities. We are really fortunate to be a part of it,” Rowland said.
For more information visit the Web site at www.thecaringcup.org.
