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About ESA...

An international leadership and service organization, ESA is a place where members develop meaningful friendships, find their passion for community service, and continue on the path of lifelong learning. In 1972, ESA adopted St. Jude as its major philanthropic project. Since that time, ESA has helped to raise more than $290 million in cash and pledges . In 1984, ESA adopted Easter Seals, volunteering time to help raise more than $5.9 million. In 2014, Santa America called ESA to action - asking us to commit to creating 4,000 Hugs per year for the next two years. ESA has enthusiastically accepted this call to service. Hope for Heroes is specifically directed at providing membership support for military personnel and their families. The program recently evolved to include an annual ESA Hope for Heroes national event held each year in November, on or around Veteran’s Day.

ABOUT ESA - Georgia State Council

In 1929, ESA was chartered in Jacksonville, Texas for the purpose of preparing its members to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. Adelia Prichard, a national president of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs is credited with being the founder of ESA. The organization’s original program focused on studying a series of great books, “The Writings of Mankind,” to provide educational benefits to its members. Our Historian holds a set of 20 books from this printing. As World War II changed life, ESA expanded its educational focus to include philanthropic projects and public service activities. Among ESA’s first service projects were the USO (United Service Organizations) and the American Red Cross. ESA continued to grow and expand across the United States. In 1947 ESA came to Georgia. Alpha Alpha #726 was our first chapter. In 1951, the Georgia State Council of Epsilon Sigma Alpha was established as a means to promote closer relations with all ESA members and chapters in Georgia and to aid in the organization of new chapters. Georgia hosted the International Convention in Atlanta for the first time just a year later in 1952. In 1952 Alpha Nu, #1943, our oldest active chapter was chartered in Middle Georgia. In 1972, ESA adopted St. Jude as its major philanthropic project. In 1978, Geogia's Gennie Haralson, IC President, pledged ESA to raise $1 million dollars in one year, and we did it. Georgia State Council raised $1 million dollars in 2018-19 fiscal year. Since 1972, ESA has helped to raise more than $290 million in cash and pledges . In 1984, ESA adopted Easter Seals, volunteering time to help raise more than $5.9 million. In 2014, Santa America called ESA to action - asking us to commit to creating 4,000 Hugs per year for the next two years. Georgia was the first state council to host a "Santa". Hope for Heroes was started in Georgia by Alpha Delta Chapter and adopted by ESA International. Hope for Heroes is specifically directed at providing membership support for military personnel and their families. The program recently evolved to include an annual ESA Hope for Heroes national event held each year in November, on or around Veteran’s Day.

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