2008 Delta Epsilon Christmas Brunch

The Annual Delta Epsilon Christmas Brunch was a great success!  It was held at Sunset Hills Country Club on Saturday, November 22, 2008, and was attended by about ninety people.  Along with a wonderful meal and fellowship, we held a silent and oral auction as well to raise funds for Delta Epsilon’s scholarship funds.  There were many beautiful things sold in the silent and oral auction.  Delta Epsilon members also brought canned goods and other donations for our Adopt-a-Family project.  The P. Buckley Moss print and beautiful Christmas quilt made by Kay Jones were raffled off as well.  The beautiful centerpieces, created by Patty Gregory, were snapped up quickly.  The generosity and enthusiasm of our members for our ongoing projects is outstanding!

A very special part of the DE Brunch was the introduction of the “Delta Epsilon Service Award.”  This year’s first recipient was Patty Gregory.  Patty was a charter member of Delta Epsilon when it was organized on June 4, 1994.  She was DE’s third president from 1998-2000.  It was Patty’s enthusiasm that got our Christmas Brunch started, and her leadership that has made it a success for the last eight years!  While Patty has served on Delta Epsilon’s Women in the Arts Committee, her love of the arts has not been limited to Delta Epsilon.

Patty is Executive Director and Founder of the #1 Art show in the country, Art on the Square in Belleville.  She has been chairman of and involved in many activities, including the Salute to the Master’s fundraiser for the children’s art activity area, the Masterwork’s annual auction, American Heart Association’s Celebrity Dinner, Belleville Main St. Auction, and Zonta Club’s Carousel Caper.  In January, 2007, Patty was awarded the Mo Dana Memorial Best Art Fair Director Award. 

Patty taught both special and general education for 38 years.  She is now retired from Collinsville Unit 10, but continues to work to promote the arts, both in Delta Kappa Gamma and Art on the Square.  “It can’t be done,” is not in Patty’s vocabulary.  She has inspired many to get involved in community service.  Patty personifies the words of  Marian Wright Edelman, children’s activist, “Service is the rent we pay for being.  It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” 

Thanks to all our amazing members who attended and their guests!