Phi Beta Chi

Philanthropy

Our national philanthropy is Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. It was founded in 1904 as both a home and a school for the mentally handicapped where they could receive love and Christian care and training. Since its founding, services have expanded into the addition of the volunteer service program, thrift stores, pharmacies, laboratories, therapies, electronic media, community living services, outreach workshops, and the production of professional materials. The purpose of Bethesda is to minister to the spiritual needs of people who happened to be mentally retarded, to provide habilitation service for retarded individuals, and to assist others in caring for individuals with metal retardation.

In order to receive care from Bethesda, an individual must be at least eight years old and have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. "Mental Retardation" stated simply is the inability of an individual to learn as quickly as others do. Mental retardation can be caused by either environmental or genetic factors.

The Ladies of Phi Beta Chi collect soup labels, actively write to their pen pals at Bethesda Lutheran Home. We also participate in a community project and individually complete three hours of community service to humanity.

In the past we have helped Bethesda by:

Praying for the ministry
Being a pen pal
Collecting needed items for the homes and facilities
Donating items to one of the thrift stores
Volunteering our time

For more information on how you can help:

Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.

700 Hoffmann Drive

Watertown, WI 53094