Lifelong Commitment to Philanthropy

Shirley Preston generously supports the Delta Gamma Foundation because she believes in our mission. Since her initiation in 1945 at Alpha Omicron chapter, she has dedicated her adult life to volunteering and "Doing Good" for local organizations that share our mission. "My personal passion throughout life has been Service for Sight," Shirley says. "It all started at my Delta Gamma chapter at Miami University in Ohio, and this has been the basis for my desire to help the visually impaired."

"When I was first married and out of college, I lived in Syracuse (NY) and got involved with the Syracuse alumnae chapter. It was a wonderful way to meet people when I was new in town. And then I came to Rochester (NY) and got involved here with the Rochester alumnae chapter. One of our early DG projects was volunteer testing (vision screening) in the local schools. Then I started teaching swimming for the Red Cross and, for 25 years, taught a special class for visually handicapped children."

Shirley has been a volunteer for the Association for the Blind in Rochester for over 40 years. She has served as a driver for monthly meetings, taking the visually impaired to doctor appointments, Christmas shopping and much more. Although she no longer drives for the Association for the Blind, at 83 years young she continues to stay very connected to this wonderful organization.

For over 35 years, the Rochester alumnae chapter has sold pecans as their annual fundraiser. Shirley is pleased that the proceeds not only go to the Delta Gamma Foundation, but through the Chapter Giving Program, the alumnae chapter is also able to support the Association for the Blind in Rochester; the Rochester Eye Bank, a local organization that trains guide dogs for the blind; as well as research at the University of Rochester for premature babies.

Shirley believes in the Delta Gamma Foundation, and she believes that being a Delta Gamma is a lifetime commitment. "Some of my very best friends have been Delta Gammas over the years," she says. "We always meet with the new members (at Zeta Delta-Rochester) to show them lifelong membership. We have a nice chapter at the University of Rochester, and it's been great to be involved with them."

In addition to spending time with the collegians, Shirley remains active in the alumnae chapter's bridge club, which has been going strong for over 40 years.