Gratitude marks Adrienne Hatton’s nearly 50 years with the Phi Beta Psi Chapter of Columbus service sorority — one that has raised more than $220,000 for cancer research just since 2010.
Financial support such as the organization’s donations to a variety of national cancer research efforts helped her son live another 25 years after being diagnosed at age 11 with a type of lymphoma, prompting nine months of chemotherapy treatment.
“If it hadn’t been for the research that provided different protocols for his and other different kinds of cancer, he never would have made it (back then),” Hatton said. “Because he had cancer in his kidneys, liver, lungs — it was everywhere.
“So we were grateful for that (extra) time.”
Hatton, secretary for the national Phi Beta Psi and her 24 current sorority mates are grateful for a community that has responded to the organization’s efforts for the past century. They all will mark the chapter’s centennial celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Clifty Creek Elementary School, 4625 E. County Road 50N in Columbus. The event is free and open to all.
The state chapter will enjoy its 100th celebration in October locally at the Hilton Garden Inn.
“We have an awful lot of sisterhood,” Hatton said . ” … I also think it’s fabulous that 24 women can get together and work to raise the amount of money that we have.”
Those funds have been raised via twice-per-year purse bingo gatherings at The Commons downtown — events that sell out in a matter of minutes. Back when The Clarion Hotel conference space was open, those gatherings could hold 600 people.
Each bingo game winner gets a brand-name, designer purse with a minimum value of at least $100.
Through the years, members also have hosted charity balls, style shows, card parties, rummage sales, and other projects. They have provided donations and equipment to Columbus Regional Hospital, sponsored a kindergarten by paying the salary of the teacher, provided layettes during the Great Depression, entertained the children at the county orphan’s home and supported other charitable organizations in Columbus.
Nationally, the sorority has donated $11.5 million in cancer research grants.
Member Alpha Aldridge acknowledged that the organization’s passion to help others, especially cancer patients, attracted her since she herself has fought cancer three times.
“And I’m not even normally a joiner,” Aldridge said.
The sorority was founded nationally in 1904 in Columbus, Ohio, and has a membership of 1,039 members in eight states, according to Aldridge. Indiana now has the most chapters and the largest membership.
Notable members locally through the years included such people as librarian Cleo Rogers and educator Lillian Schmitt.
“We look forward,” Aldridge said, “to continuing our commitment to make a difference in Bartholomew County, the state of Indiana and on a national level.”
