CHAPTER MEETINGS AND EVENTS 
​Eta Mu has a year filled with exciting events for members and guests. For complete details visit the Members Only Area.

Fall

Our Fall programs begin with the Kick-Off in September. New members will be welcomed at the meeting.
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In October, the Area XVII Conference  will be held at Foothill Horizons in Sonora. The topic will be Wellness in the Wilderness. 

In November we will celebrate our Chapter Founder's birthday.

Winter

In December we have a cookie exchange as members share their childhood holiday customs.

In December, members will celebrate the season by attending "Holiday Pops" at the Gallo Center followed by a no-host dinner at a local restaurant. This will show our support of our local community and the arts as well as our chapter president who sings in the chorus.

December's community project will be a Modesto Love Our Kids Comfort Kit Drive.

January will be a Soup Super. Collections for Modesto Gospel Mission will be January's Community Service project.

February's meeting is a Bunco Party to relax and enjoy the social part of DKG.
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Spring 

 In March members will celebrate Dr. Seuss and Read Across America at Mary Lou Dieterich School. As part of the chapter's service project books will be donated to the school's libraries.

A Potato Fest and meeting will celebrate St. Patrick's Day. 

In April, Eta Mu members will participate in a Love Modesto Project.
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In May, members will attend the California State Convention in Ontario, California.
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May will be a time to assemble Jared Boxes to donate to a local hospital.

The year will end with a "Garden Party" in June.

CHAPTER EVENTS THAT GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY

LOVE MODESTO

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Members participate in Love Modesto. Here are members with Love Modesto's mascot.

​Members participate in different activities each year.

Jared Box Donations

Eta Mu members assemble Jared Boxes that are donated to a local hospital.

ABC PROJECT TEA

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Eta Mu members attend the ABC (Abundant Books for Children) Tea and donate to support this effort to get books in the hands of children. The ABC Project is part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library project. The ABC Project is directed by Susan Neufeld a DKG California member of the Eta Mu Chapter.

READ ACROSS AMERICA 

 Eta Mu members read to students at Mary Lou Dieterich School. Mary Lou Dieterich is a long time DKG member. The readers donate the books they bring to read to the school library.  In March, members join Mary Lou Dieterich at the school named in her honor to support our community by reading and donating a book to the Mary Lou Dieterich School library. It was part of the Read Across America Event.
2025-2026 Program Highlights:
·       Ken Sylvia, Executive Director, Youth for Christ
·       Narinder Bahia, Assistant to State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil
·       Steve Ashman, Executive Director, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
·       Theresa Foote, Experiencing the Camino de Santiago
·       Aria Spencer, Harpist, Irish Music
·       Jared Box Activity/Balloon Art Demonstration by April Hunger
·       Garden Party hosted by Executive Board
·       Other: Member Meet  and Greet; Modesto Art Walk; Oktober Fest; Pajama Party/Cookie Exchange; Book Sharing; Souper Supper; Bunco Night/Mary Lou’s Birthday Celebration; Potato Fest. 

The Founder of Our Chapter Celebrates
her 90th Birthday in 2026! 

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 Adele Little is the chapter’s sole remaining founding member, having been an active pillar of the organization since helping establish it on April 20, 1968. Over the decades, she has held nearly every position across both chapter and area leadership, and she continues to serve dedicatedly on various committees today. When Debbie Mar presented Adele with her 55-year membership pin, she highlighted her incredible achievements in both education and the local community, describing her as “an inspirational, deeply positive, spiritual, and blessed person.”
Throughout her distinguished teaching career, Adele was a top-tier educator—first as a classroom teacher, then as a reading specialist, and later as the Director of State and Federal Programs. Her generosity extends far beyond the classroom; she has continually championed local literacy efforts, serving as the Director of the Adult Literacy Program, sitting on the board of the Adult Literacy Network, and working with Stanislaus County Partners in Education (SPIE).
In recognition of her profound impact, Adele was named one of the Outstanding Women for Stanislaus County in 2009 and received the well-deserved Jean and Clyde Dunlap Award for her devotion to literacy. Her fellow Eta Mu sisters remain incredibly grateful to benefit from her enduring knowledge, leadership, and guidance.