The ladies of Omicron Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated of Woodbridge, Virginia honored the life works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by dedicating January 19, 2009 as a Day of Service. During this day of service, chapter members purchased, cooked, and served breakfast and donated gifts to the residents of the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center in Woodbridge, VA. The shelter relies on community organizations such as ours, to provide a hot breakfast to the shelter’s residents as a supplement to the other meals the shelter provides. This 30-bed facility is a short-term shelter that assists homeless adults and children develop individual plans that promote self-sufficient living. The shelter also provides mental health evaluation and counseling, drug and alcohol abuse prevention services, children's services, budget training, adult education and employment services.
Thirty-three members of Omicron Chi Omega, 11 friends, and family members began the day at 5:30 a.m. by preparing breakfast, decorating the dining hall, and packing gift bags for the residents. In preparation for this service, the chapter purchased over $170 worth of food consisting of eggs, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, bread, pastries, juice, and milk. The food was prepared to feed the 22 adults and 8 children that were current residents of the shelter.
The buffet style breakfast was served from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. The early breakfast time allowed for those residents who had to depart early for work to have a hot meal before their departure for the day. Chapter members were able to take time to socialize with the residents after their meal. Gifts bags full of toiletries and toys were donated by the chapter and presented to each resident.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is the commencement of our chapters’ ongoing service projects for the year. Omicron Chi Omega has been serving breakfast at the shelter for over 10 years and eagerly looks forward every year to providing this uplifting community serve to our community.
On Saturday, February 28, 2009, our chapter partnered with the Prince William NAACP at the Little Union Baptist Church, Dumfries, Virginia to assist in running a Community Solutions Summit. After a continental Breakfast was served, medical doctors, school board members, real estate agents, foreclosure and Medicare specialists where available to share strategies for addressing issues related to education, health care, and housing. Speakers included Dr. Michael Otaigbe, Prince William School Board; Dr. Michelle Webb; Mr. Lee Odems, President, Prince William Realtor s; and Mr. Jesse Frierson, MEDICARE Specialist with Secure Horizons and Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Attendees developed community based strategies designed to serve as the NAACP 2009 Plan of Work. A multimedia presentation was shown which provided historical highlights of the NAACP’s historical journey. Community organizations and vendors were invited to exhibit. In addition to assisting with the operation of the summit, our chapter also displayed an exhibit depicting our involvement in the community.
On March 28, 2009, our chapter conducted our yearly event showing our appreciation to the African American Males in the community by honoring them at an all male Chorus Gospel Fest. The following seven church Men’s choirs participated in the Fest: Little Union Baptist Church, Dumfries, VA ; Ebenezer Baptist Church, Woodbridge , VA ; First Mount Zion Baptist Church , Dumfries , VA ; First A.M. Baptist Church, Manassas, VA ; First Baptist Church , Manassas , VA ; Mount Olive Baptist Church , Woodbridge, VA ; and Neabsco Baptist Church, Woodbridge, VA. Each choir sang 3 songs, which enlightened the congregation. Our chapter presented a tribute to the men in honor of our sorority's 100th year. An originally written poem by our chapter's member Persephone La-Prince Brown was read honoring the men.
On May 1, 2009 , our chapter partnered with Potomac Senior High School in Woodbridge , Virginia to participate in an event that allowed working members of the community and employers to interview the 10th grade class for potential career positions. The purpose of this interaction was to prepare the teenagers for employer expectations when they enter the ‘world of work’. The wisdom and guidance of working professionals through the interaction of a mock interview assisted the teens with interviewing techniques, identifying their future goals, and bolstering their educational objectives. All interviewers met with teens, one-on-one, in ten minute intervals and evaluated their interview skills, as well as providing them insight into career, advice, and feedback on the “dos and don’ts ” of interviewing.
On May 16, 2009 , the chapter participated in a 24 hour “walk-a-thon/camp-out” to raise funds for the American Cancer Society for the purposes of research and education. Each team is required to have at least one person walking the track at all times during the 24 hours. Each team set up a “campsite” around the football field/track of Forest Park High School in Woodbridge,=2 0Virginia at which they raised funds using games and drawings or by selling items. Funds were raised prior to the “day of” activity through solicitation of donations and various fundraising activities. This year our team called “Ivies for Life” raised over $2000.00 in donations for the American Cancer Society.
In partnership with Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Woodbridge, VA, the Omicron Chi Omega chapter was able to support the Prince William County community in supplying children from five local schools with over 120 backpacks full of school supplies, $4,100 in gift card donations, and boxes of supplies to each school. The following schools were presented with school supplies: Dumfries Elementary School, Dumfries, VA, Jennie Dean Elementary School, Manassas, VA, Potomac Middle School, Dumfries, VA, Fred Lynn Middle School, Woodbridge, VA and Rippon Middle School, Woodbridge, VA. This was a great example of how working together can make such a positive impact in the lives of our youth. Backpacks and school supplies were also delivered to the chapter's Adopted Family from the ACTS Transitional Living Program, Dumfries, VA.
