Delta Zeta event will benefit multiple philanthropies

Delta Zeta is scheduled to host their 4th annual Clay Classic this Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Southern Shooting Center in Thibodaux.

This year, DZ will introduce a family aspect to the clay shoot. Live bands, food and crafts for the kids will available all day.

The first flight of shooting teams will begin at 8:30 am, with the second flight following at 11:30 am. However, anyone still interested in signing up can still do so the day off.

Registration fees are $85 per person, with four people to a team. Nicholls students are offered a discount of $5 off. Winners will be announced between 2:30 and 3 pm that same day.

“Our chapter has put lots of hard work into making this event a success, and we cannot wait to see it come together,” said Abageal Boudreaux, vice president of philanthropy. “We have added several new aspects this year and are excited to see the outcome.”

Last year, DZ raised $15,000, with all proceeds going to their philanthropies. They said they hope to raise more this year.

With 80 percent of proceeds going to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, DZ said they hope to make a larger difference this year.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation helps those in third world countries who are unable to afford hearing aids on their own. With every $200 raised, Starkey Hearing is able to give the gift of hearing to another person. This help could come in the form of hearing aids, or even speech therapy.

Hearing loss is not something a person thinks about on a day-to-day basis. Hoping to gain people’s awareness, DZ will have a large poster on display asking what sound would people miss the most. People will be able to write on sticky notes and attach them to the poster.

DZ has also pledged to raise $5 million in only five years. President of DZ’s Kappa Alpha chapter, Hailee Thomas, said that $3.5 million has already been raised.

“So much hard work has gone into planning this event, and we are all truly excited to see that work come full circle,” Thomas said.

Thomas said she’d like everyone to come out to Southern Shooting Center on Sunday, even if shooting clays isn’t their thing. She said she hopes to see everyone there in support of DZ and their philanthropies.

The other 20% of proceeds will be split between the Bridge to Independence program and the Bayou Country Children’s Museum.

According to DZ’s Clay Classic website, the Bridge to Independence program was established at Nicholls for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder or any other intellectual disability. It allows these students to have the full college experience of regular classes, school activities and the opportunities to join other organizations.

The Bayou Country Children’s Museum is DZ’s other local philanthropy. With the help of donations, the museum is able to continuously provide kids ages 2-12 with educational experiences outside the classroom.

With the addition of the family day aspect, DZ will be embracing their national service project, The Painted Turtle Camp. Located in California, this camp provides kids with serious medical illnesses to be able to have fun and simply be children. Children and their families attend free of charge, with all supplies relying on donations.

At the clay shoot, DZ will have a booth open for kids to make blankets, which will be donated to the Painted Turtle campers.

There will also be a raffle for a Yeti ice chest. Each raffle ticket is worth $5, and can be purchased on the website or the day of the event.

“So much work has gone into this event over the last few months, and we would love to share this fun-filled day with everyone, all while supporting our incredible philanthropies,” said Gabi LeBlanc, family relations chair.