Photo Caption: Senior Marissa Steiner, vice president of philanthropy, Delta Zeta Sorority's Xi Iota chapter at Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA (12/01/2021) — By: Abbie Rees and Delta Zeta Nationals

How do you do on-campus philanthropy work when no one is on campus? Senior Marissa Steiner, vice president of philanthropy from Delta Zeta Sorority's Xi Iota chapter at Muhlenberg College, faced just that as COVID prevented in-person fundraisers and student gatherings. Steiner knew hitting pause was not the answer.

"Early on in the COVID pandemic, I saw that we had so many opportunities for bringing the community together in a virtual environment," said Steiner. She jumped into action, helping coordinate the DZoomba virtual event, where anyone in the campus community and their families could join in for some fun fitness activities. She helped raise thousands of dollars virtually for the Starkey Hearing Foundation and The Painted Turtle Camp by hosting the event, which was led by a Zumba instructor from the health center at Muhlenberg College and promoted on social media. DZ sisters helped raise awareness about the organizations and encouraged them to invite their families and friends. People donated and also participated to win raffle prizes, some of which were donated from local businesses.

Delta Zeta's philanthropic focus is "Hearing and Speech," so the sorority focuses on fundraising for charities that improve the lives of those with hearing needs. Philanthropy and community leadership come naturally to Steiner, a psychology major and public health minor. Besides her active involvement in Delta Zeta, Steiner serves on campus as an orientation team leader, campus tour guide, campus delegate, and admissions student worker. She's also a Best Buddies program mentor and has co-facilitated a student transition course for Muhlenberg first-year students.

Earlier this year, Steiner was selected to be one of four 2021 Global Marketing and Philanthropy Interns for Delta Zeta Nationals. Working under Abbie Rees, director of community relations and philanthropy for Delta Zeta Nationals, Steiner provides peer-to-peer support to other vice presidents of philanthropy across the country, helping other chapters with their event planning, fundraising, reporting, and philanthropy education and promotion. She's also learning first-hand about social media marketing and fundraising on digital platforms with the hopes of further fostering these skills after graduation.

"I especially love the work we do for SeriousFun Children's Network and educating others about their mission to provide sleepaway camp experiences for children with serious illnesses," said Steiner. "I grew up going to and working at a sleepaway camp, so being able to help provide a summer camp experience for those with serious illnesses really allows me to feel like I am making a difference and contributing to a transformative experience for these children." Marissa was recently able to visit Victory Junction, a SeriousFun Camp, to tour and strengthen Delta Zeta's national partnership.

"It has been a pleasure working with Marissa this year. She has been an amazing mentor to 40 of our Delta Zeta vice presidents of philanthropy at campuses around the country. She has been there to support them, inspire them, and share her passion for giving back," says Rees. "We are so excited that Marissa has accepted our invitation to become a part of our Delta Zeta Global Ambassador Society. As a member of this society, she will continue to have national opportunities to inspire other Delta Zetas to make a difference and to continue to share her enthusiasm for community."

Marissa was recently inducted into Delta Zeta Nationals' Global Ambassador Society to continue engaging and educating chapters about how to give back to non-profit organizations. The position serves as a reminder to chapters to keep philanthropy, service, and sisterhood at their heart.

"Marissa exemplifies what it means to be a Delta Zeta. Her passion for her chapter, and the larger fraternity and sorority life community at Muhlenberg College, has inspired those around her. Her dedication to philanthropy and service will leave a long-lasting impact," said Natalie Shaw, Muhlenberg's assistant director of student organizations, leadership, and engagement. "I know that wherever her career takes her, she will continue to be an asset to our community."