Tri Kappa Iota, a Valparaiso based sorority, has proudly supported its local community through a wide range of charitable services for over 100 years. Now, Tri Kappa is taking a chance to celebrate these accomplishments and the community it loves by popping the champagne with a special gala and fundraiser on Friday, February 2.
"I am looking forward to this inaugural event for Tri Kappa! It will allow us to continue promoting charity, culture, and education in our area while celebrating with the community and our fellow Kappa sisters," Executive Committee Member Natalie Mahlmann said.
Attendees can expect a great night filled with quality fun and entertainment at the historic Journeyman Distillery. There will also be a silent auction, with prizes such as a night and breakfast for two at the Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue, a $500 gift card for dinner at Shaw's Crab House, an architectural tour of the Chicago River, a new laptop, and gift cards for local spas, salons, and gyms.
“This is actually our very first gala,” said President Drew Sarkisian. ”Members will be able to get dressed up and enjoy an evening of good food, great cocktails, and a band while celebrating and having fun. We’ll be able to celebrate what we do while raising money and celebrating the people in this community who have helped us as well.”
There is definitely much to be celebrated at the gala, too, as Tri Kappa has made a monumental impact in Valpo through many different avenues over the years. As an organization that bleeds Valpo pride, it puts its heart and soul into lending a hand to those who need a little extra help throughout the city while making it a better place.
The group puts a major emphasis on helping as many organizations as possible instead of limiting itself to a single group. A few of its charitable services include raising funds for Hilltop House’s soup kitchen, helping to build a handicap ramp for nonprofits, and providing extra support and services for veterans in the area.
Tri Kappa is also extremely passionate about helping the city’s younger generation, and consistently invests time, money, and resources to help them reach their full potential. The organization is always raising money for scholarship funds for college-bound children, as well as donating books and contributing to children’s reading programs to help enhance their literary education.
“We give 100% back to our Valparaiso community through charity, culture, and education,” said Sarkisian. “Not only do we celebrate giving back to organizations, but we also celebrate just being a part of this amazing community.”
In addition to honoring these accomplishments during the gala, Tri Kappa will be taking the time to celebrate those making a positive difference in the community as well. The organization has selected two people integral to the Valpo community for its 2024 Spotlight Citizen’s Award: Journeyman’s own Bill and Johanna Welter.
Through their work with bringing Journeyman to the Region, it’s clear the Welters share the same passion for Valpo as the members of Tri Kappa, making the award for the couple a perfect fit. Journeyman has also brought many jobs and opportunities to Valpo since coming to the Region a few short months ago in October of 2023, making it the perfect venue spot for the gala.
“Journeyman has always been very well respected and everyone wants to see what it's all about,” said Sarkisian. “We thought it would not only be great to highlight Bill and Johanna but it will also bring people in to understand why Valpo is such an amazing place.”
Tri Kappa is extremely thankful for the many sponsors who have helped make this event happen, including diamond sponsors Sarkisian, Sarkisian & Associates Law Firm, Cliff and Laura Bryan, and Urschel's Giving from Urschels Laboratories; sapphire sponsor Modern Edge; pearl sponsors Kotys Wealth, Tudor Floors & More, and Susie Jaskowiak @properties; and carnation sponsors Centier Bank, Kaye and John Seibert, McAfee Animal Hospital, and GreatNews.Life.
Tri Kappa would also like to thank Suzies Cafe and Catering, Amplified Events, and Snapshots - Photobooth Memories for their generous donations to the Tri Kappa gala.
Sarkisian, who was born and raised in Valpo, knows in her heart this is where she belongs. She found this to be especially true when she attended college in Florida after graduating from Valparaiso High School in 2005. Her role as Tri Kappa’s president further reminds her why she loves her hometown and hopes to continue to expand that passion to others through her work with the sorority.
“We are very lucky to live in an amazing community that is very supportive, growing every day, and is safe for our families and our children,” she said. “As the president of Tri Kappa and as we're doing these projects, raising money, and working hard to give back to Valpo, I remind myself of how lucky we are to live here. It helps me work even harder to try and do as much as we possibly can.”
Mahlmann shares the same sentiments as Sarkisian, and loves that she is able to share her passion for Valpo and helping others through being a member of Tri Kappa.
"I enjoy being a part of this wonderful organization because I get to give back to the community that has given me so much, having grown up here,” she said. “It is a great way to get to know people and stay connected while helping others!"
Both ladies encourage everyone to buy a ticket to the gala for a fun night while supporting a great cause. Tickets can be purchased the day of by visiting the Eventbrite link here, and all proceeds support local grants, charitable contributions, and scholarships for students pursuing higher education. For more information on Tri Kappa Iota and all it has to offer to make Valpo a great place for its residents, visit trikappavalpo.org.