Vision Screening
The philanthropy of the Delta Gamma Fraternity is Service for Sight. Accordingly, the Delta Gamma Foundation began preschool vision screening in 1951. The Denver alumnae chapter implemented a preschool program in 1954.
Denver Alumnae of Delta Gamma - More Than 100 Years of Service
Anchor Center
In keeping with the philanthropy of the Delta Gamma Fraternity, Service for Sight, the Delta Gamma Anchor Center for Blind Children was founded in 1982 by a teacher of the visually impaired and the Denver alumnae chapter. It is the only organization in Colorado working with children, from birth through age five, whose sole mission is to teach life skills to young children with visual impairments and to provide services to their families. No family is ever denied services due to inability to pay.
Anchor Center is a nonprofit organization that depends on private donations. The award-winning facility is located at 2550 Roslyn Street, Denver, Colorado 80238. Please contact the Anchor Center directly for more information or to make a contribution, 303-377-9732.
Early learning stimulates all the senses. From left to right: Maarten in the dark room working with a light box; Calvin playing an accordian; Brady working with Anne.
The Anchor Center has a Wish List of items that are always needed to support the school and will also be used to help Anchor Center families who are facing challenging times. Thank you for anything you can contribute. Donations of wish list items allow Anchor to use funds for direct program costs instead of these supplies.
Diapers: Stage 2 & 3 | Children´s clothing: Sizes 2—9 | Silverware, kitchen supplies | Plates | Coffee mugs | Grocery store certificates | Paper products: Paper towels; Toilet paper; Facial tissue; Napkins; and 5-oz. cups | Canned, non-perishable food | Soap | Shampoo | Cleaning supplies | Batteries: Sizes AA, C, D | Polaroid film (Size 600) | Shiny Mylar wrapping paper | Shiny crinkle pompoms | Zip-loc bags: Gallon and quart sizes | Handheld video camera | Sling seat swings | Florescent child-sized toothbrushes (new) | Coin banks that move or make noise | "Germ free" solution for hands | Wet wipes | Snacks: Snack crackers - Ritz Bitz CHEESE, (Please, NO peanut butter); Cheese Puffs; Individual servings of pudding - chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla; Individual servings of applesauce — all flavors; Pringles — different flavors; Jerky; Juices — 100% fruit juice, large bottles | Blank Video Tapes | Unscented hand lotion | New office supplies | Large electric compressor pump
In the ensuing years, the chapter has screened thousands of preschool children in the Denver metro area. There are four teams of volunteers who contact and service the schools.
In 1996, in collaboration with Preserve Sight-Colorado and the Colorado Optometric Center, the chapter began screening, providing professional exams and giving free glasses to participants at The Gathering Place. The Gathering Place is a daytime shelter for homeless women and children. During this time, the Denver alumnae have provided hundreds of exams and glasses to women and children in need.
This year begins a new chapter in the nearly 50 year history of working with preschoolers in Denver. The Denver alumnae chapter has partnered with Prevent Blindness America to continue this long tradition. In addition, nine more schools have contacted the Denver alumnae chapter and requested this vision screening service. This brings the total number of preschools to more than 50!
If you are interested in helping us continue our tradition of service, please contact Shirley Bowman or Elaine Senter.