WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

More than 500 supporters gathered at Parkland High School for the 10th annual Community Day celebration sponsored by the Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® on Saturday, Aug. 24. This year’s celebration was more than a back-to-school bash. It also included the observance of the centennial chartering of the first graduate chapter of the sorority in North Carolina on Feb. 14, 1924, when the Phi Omega Chapter was chartered. Event chair Jennifer Harrell, co-chairs Nora Baker, Brittany Patrick, Janette Frazier, and President Evelyn Acree spearheaded a committee of conscientious workers who started planning for this event in January.

“I am so excited about this year’s Community Day event. We spent months planning for this day. We wanted to honor the 100 years of our charter. We are the first graduate chapter in North Carolina,” said President Acree. “We wanted to do it bigger and better to meet the needs of the community. We went beyond bags of school supplies to meet so many different needs. 

“It was a beautiful day. The band from Parkland, the Dixie Debs, the Greater Vision African Dancers, the Powerhouse Cheerleaders from Winston-Salem State University, and the Purple Reign Dancers from Quality Education Academy offered entertainment,” said Acree. 

“We were very happy with the turnout for the event. We wanted to be a blessing to the community, to alleviate any burden of our most vulnerable citizens. This was a true celebration, and we had fun! We had a deejay, dancers, performers, the Powerhouse Cheerleaders, vendors, and a meal cook-out style. We wanted to have an impact on our vulnerable brothers and sisters of Winston-Salem. I just loved the atmosphere yesterday!” said Acree.

Chair Jennifer Harrell was pleased they could provide so much to help the entire family this year. “We had 44 vendors available this year. This means that we had plenty of resources for the families who attended. We contacted local nonprofits who offered support for homelessness, senior services, packages of diapers for adults and children, voters’ committee, mental health screening, STD screening, haircuts, free medications, dental care products, and feminine products,” said Harrell. “We had new clothes, new shoes, new cribs and mattresses for babies. Some of the clothes that were left were delivered to the Dress for Success program.”

Kathy Torrey, a grandmother, adopted her three grandchildren this year. Cory Gaddy, 9; Nyema Torrey, 6; and Nyeem, 4, went with their grandmother to get school clothes. “We were really blessed! I could not believe that there were new tennis shoes, new jeans, and new sweatshirts and suits. We felt so special and honored! The children were able to get free books to read, and I received beautiful suits, pumps and a purse for church,” said Torrey. “What these sorority sisters did this weekend was epic! They blessed this community! They allowed the Lord to use them in a mighty way!”

Nicole Cater and Jesus Cruz are expecting a baby in a few short months. They were blessed to receive a brand new crib, clothes for the baby and clothes for the parents. “I am so glad that we came to this event. We found clothes for our baby and for his siblings. There is something here for the whole family,” said Cater.

Chaplain Melinda Hash led the sorority sisters in prayer. She gave honor for all of the members, guests and supporters, pleading for a special impact on the community.

Several fraternity brothers from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.® sponsored the cookout for the community. Mark Flowers, Alan Frazier, Fred Acree, Oliver Wheeler, Darryl Sawyer, Keith Watson, Adrian Lawrence among others provided fine hospitality for all who attended the event.

Fraternity brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. took photos and provided support. They included LaShan Lovelace, Daniel Clark, and Antonio Davis. 

George Redd of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was available to assist in various ways. 

“This success comes from teamwork and collaboration,” said President Acree.

The vendors included many resources.Atrium Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Partners, Novo Nordisk, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Senior Services assisted with the elders. Crosby Scholars, Starbucks, SPARKS South, Dress for Success, Read Mobile Bus, Forsyth Tech Cares, Yodi International, GreeNest, Maxx Kinder Kollege, the Winston-Salem Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.® and POSSE Mobile Health Unit assisted with young people’s needs. 

Primerica Financial, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Experiment in Self Reliance, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid, the Human Relations Commission, the Winston-Salem Fire Department, The Winston-Salem Police Foundation, and Second Harvest Nutrition Services provided services for parents and families.

Ten schools were selected to receive a supply of feminine products. The principals or a representative came to receive this packages. According to President Acree, some young ladies have difficulty affording feminine products, therefore, they often stay home during the week of their menses. The sorority seeks to provide resources that allow learning to continue throughout the year. Superintendent Tricia McManus was present to see the schools receive their packages from Phi Omega.

“The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are incredible! You have collaborated with so many community resources that families can turn to over and over again. Thank you so much for reaching out to our families,” said Superintendent Tricia McManus.