Eight of Delta Phi’s 12 members: Annette LeRose (left), Louann Raley, Christine Bourgerois, Hafdis Gentry, Wendy Taylor, Shannon Ziese, Theresa Gray, and President Paula Beard. The organization was voted Favorite Club/Organization in the 2024 Locals Love Us contest. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
The Delta Phi chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International in Buchanan Dam offers sisterhood to its members while giving back big time to the lakeside communities they call home. This small group of dedicated women raises money for scholarships for students in Burnet and Llano counties, sends sizable sums to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to fund cancer research, and finds any angle to make its slice of the world a better place.
The community is giving back to Delta Phi. It was voted Favorite Club/Organization in the 2024 Locals Love Us contest by The Picayune Magazine readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners.
“We’re very thankful,” chapter President Paula Beard said after learning of the award. “We’re here to help whenever there is a need.”
Delta Phi is a small, local chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, an international service and leadership organization that has donated millions of dollars and volunteer hours to charities since it was founded in 1929.
The Buchanan Dam chapter was started five years ago and currently has 12 members. It hosts a spring charity golf tournament and an annual fall gala to raise money for St. Jude, local charities, and scholarships for high school students.
Beyond golf and galas, Delta Phi gives back in ways big and small, whether that’s bringing coffee and donuts to the construction workers who built the new RM 2900 bridge, buying space heaters and cooling fans for those in need during the harshest times of the year, or hosting a Super Bowl fundraiser.
“We’re grateful for what we have, so we want to pay it forward,” said chapter member and Epsilon Sigma Alpha District President Theresa Gray.
The members all agree that their favorite part of the community is the people. Each of them gave back in their own way before the chapter came together, but now, they get to better themselves, their neighbors, and their homes side by side.
