More than 250 members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) from across the country and as far away as Australia joined artist and philanthropist Deb Groesser in Loveland, Colorado in July for ESA’s “Show Your Colors” benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Deb’s generous donation of her time, talent, enthusiasm, and even supplies made this event possible, raising more than $100,000 for the kids at St. Jude.

ESA members raised pledges to attend the event during which Deb taught her largest painting class ever, recreating her original painting of St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. Deb says "Thank you, to the ESA membership for inviting me to paint with you at your Show Your Colors for St. Jude event at your July Convention. I have never done a painting class for that many people!

Since partnering with St. Jude more than 40 years ago, ESA members have raised more than $225 million for the hospital through fundraising and volunteerism projects. “Show Your Colors” participants enjoyed mingling with Deb herself, Chris Boysen, Senior Vice President of Field Operations at ALSAC St. Jude and former St. Jude patient David Howser as well as students from nearby Fossil Ridge High School who volunteered their time as painting coaches and event support staff. 

“Deb made the whole process really fun. You should have seen it, and entire ballroom filled with round tables of painters, smiles, and pride in the difference we were all making that night for the St. Jude kids. It didn’t matter whether or not you’d ever painted before. We had a ball, loved the new experience, and are so proud of what we all did together." – Judi Grefer, ESA member

“Thank you for everything, Deb! You have an amazing heart, the ability to make it fun and educational for both new and seasoned artists, and you really helped us support the kids at St. Jude fighting cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.” - Charlotte Carloni, ESA, Executive Director

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, treats children with catastrophic diseases regardless of a family’s ability to pay and freely shares all their research so children around the world can be saved.