The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter
of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
PAC PUBLIC SERVICE NEWS
Adopt-A-Spot Program: South Crater Road Petersburg
October 31, 2015
The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter cleaned South Crater Road on October 31, 2015 in support of the City of Petersburg’s Adopt-A-Spot Program and the Commonwealth’s Clean-Up Initiatives. The city asks that cleanup take place four times per year, with a minimum of 2 service dates. Because safety is imperative, reflective vests, trash bags, and gloves were provided, by the city, to each participant upon arrival.
This program continues to be a valuable service to our community because it promotes economic development as this corridor is adjacent to homes and businesses and several major U.S. thoroughfares; promotes physical/ mental health by encouraging walking and light exercise; and promotes sisterhood by giving our members yet another opportunity to see each other in a different capacity and to get to know each other.
Adopt-A-Spot Program: South Crater Road Petersburg
October 31, 2015
The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter cleaned South Crater Road on October 31, 2015 in support of the City of Petersburg’s Adopt-A-Spot Program and the Commonwealth’s Clean-Up Initiatives. The city asks that cleanup take place four times per year, with a minimum of 2 service dates. Because safety is imperative, reflective vests, trash bags, and gloves were provided, by the city, to each participant upon arrival.
This program continues to be a valuable service to our community because it promotes economic development as this corridor is adjacent to homes and businesses and several major U.S. thoroughfares; promotes physical/ mental health by encouraging walking and light exercise; and promotes sisterhood by giving our members yet another opportunity to see each other in a different capacity and to get to know each other.
2015 PSAT/SAT Workshop
October 24, 2015
The annual PSAT/SAT workshop was hosted by PAC on October 24, 2015 at Vernon Johns Middle School in Petersburg, Virginia. Sixty-four students and thirteen parents attended.
Presenter, Carl M. Goode, Jr., president CAPS, Inc. highlighted test taking strategies for test performance.
2015 St. Jude Walk/Run
September 26, 2015
The St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer took place on September 26, 2015 at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp in Richmond, Virginia.
St. Jude supporters in Greater Richmond and in 58 cities nationwide partipated in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we helped St. Jude change the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Habitat for Humanity
June 13, 2015
On June 13, 2015, PAC members and other supporters participated in the annual "Walk for Habitat". The 5k stroll through beautiful Walnut Hill was exhilarating and fun for all participant. We enjoyed the fellowship and laughter while supporting each other, as well as providing economic assistance in aiding a family to secure an affordable home. A monetary contribution was also donated in the name of Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
International Awareness & Involvement
May 2015
Soror Yvette Robinson, PAC's International Awareness & Involvement Co-Chair, attended the Consecration Service for long term missionaries to Kenya Cornell & Carol Jones in May 2015, held at the Emmanuel Baptist church in Newport News, VA. They took a financial gift to the Kenya A.I.C. Girls Boarding from the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter.
Project LEAD
Posted May 27, 2015
The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter’s LEAD Participants completed a public service project titled “PAC Lends A Helping Hand”. The project consisted of the PAC LEAD Participants giving back packs to the homeless, poor and/or disadvantaged. Each back pack was filled with survival items such as: blankets, sunglasses, socks, toiletries, rain ponchos, bottled water and snacks. A total of 67 back packs were donated to the Downtown Churches United, Inc. - HOPE Center in Petersburg, VA to be distributed during their lunch time feeding / meal program. All back packs and survival items were donated by the PAC members, family and friends.
Book Buddies
Posted during the 2014-2015 Sorority Year
One of the major programs under the auspices of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust is Educational Development. Book Buddies is an established program under Educational Development of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter (PAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The program encourages children to enjoy reading, promotes literacy, and enhances language development. Book Buddies is a bi-monthly program where students are read books by members of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter from October to May of the school year. Fourteen Petersburg Alumnae Chapter sorors are committed to serve on the Book Buddies committee. The target grade level is 2ndand 3rd graders. Currently, Book Buddies serves three local schools, J. E. B. Stuart Elementary School in Petersburg, Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg and Dinwiddie Elementary School in Dinwiddie, Virginia. Book Buddies’ goal is to provide books to students so that they can own a book and begin a personal library at home. Beginning in January 2015, the Book Buddies Committee will begin collecting donated books appropriate for first, second and third graders and end collection in April 2015. Books may be dropped off at the executive and chapter meetings.
Some highlights include:
-
Book Buddies at Robert E. Lee on February 13, 2015 in celebration of Black History Month. We read stories about famous African Americans. Embellished in African dress and presenting show stopping posters, we reached out to four classes of 3rd grade students.
-
Book Buddies at Robert E.Lee on March 2, 2015 in celebration of Dr. Seuss' Day. We read books by Dr. Seuss, wore our Dr. Seuss hats and passed out Dr. Seuss pencils, bookmarks and erasers.
-
Book Buddies at Dinwiddie Elementary on March 19, 2015. March is nutrition month; therefore out theme was "Healthy Eating."
Kathleen Murphy, Chair Rosa Kerns-Smith, Co-Chair
Habitat for Humanity
Posted October 25 & November 8, 2014
October 25, 2014 - Volunteer workers were treated to lunch, pizza and drinks provided by Petersburg Alumnae Chapter. There were ten workers from Fort Lee on the work site located at 2026 Ferndale Ave. Six PAC committee members participated in setting up and fellowshipping with the volunteers. An explanation as to how the home would be rehabbed was shared by the construction manager of Habitat.
November 8, 2014 - A Habitat Community Service Day was held when PAC members volunteered to assist at the ReStore, located at 928 Commerce St., from 9 am to noon. Eleven Sorors participated in moving, unpacking, organizing and pricing items. There were some who couldn’t resist and purchased some very good buys to support the cause. We were thanked and welcomed to return to work in the Restore, as well as, to actually assist in rehabbing a home.
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Their mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Posted November 29, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter continued it annual tradition of service by "ringing the bell" for Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. Chapter members worked in 1 hour shifts (4 to 6 per shift) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Colonial Heights, Virginia Wal-Mart.
From its humble beginnings in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable charitable campaigns in the United States. It provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.
The Salvation Army has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.
2014 St. Jude Thanks Walk
Posted November 22, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae, Chesterfield Alumnae and Henrico Alumnae Chapters along with chapters around the country participated in the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk. Seven members of “Team Petersburg Alumnae – DST” laced up shoes and were ready for walk day. The team joined more than 65 communities across the country in the fund raising efforts for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The exciting event helped to raise funds to support the life long mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
2014 Annual Thanksgiving Basket Donations
Posted November 20, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter continued its annual tradition of assembling and delivering Thankgiving food baskets to families in need within our community. Sorors came together to pack and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to 7 families within our service area. Chapter members donated items for the baskets. Each family received 2-3 boxes of food items for a complete meal and more along with a gift card or cash donation.
PSAT/SAT Workshop
Posted October 18, 2014
I'Petersburg Alumnae Chapter hosted its annual PSAT/SAT Workshop at Historic Southside High School Education Center in Dinwiddie, Virginia. The workshop was open to secondary students in: Petersburg, Virginia; Hopewell, Virginia; Dinwiddie, Virginia; Sussex, Virginia; Prince George County; Colonial Heights, Virginia and Chesterfield County. Presenter, Yolanda H. Jones, Home Bound Instructor Petersburg City Public Schools, highlighted test taking strategies for PSAT/SAT, and provided tools to perform on any standardized test. Students were attentive and engaged in writing and math activities. Ms. Jones encouraged participants to use the websites www.thatquiz.org and www.jlab.org for test preparation. She said: "Students have great success with this if they make the commitment and stay with it twenty minutes a day." Refreshments were served. There were drawings for an iPad and several Flash Drives.
2014 Delta Adventures In Reading Enrichment
Posted September 15, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter hosted its annual Delta Adventures in Reading Enrichment (DARE) program partnered with the Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) and met daily July 8 - 31, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gillfield Baptist Church Petersburg, Virginia. A total of 38 students participated in activities each week designed to enhance vocabulary, word analysis, comprehension, and other reading and writing skills. The students were exposed to story telling, jewelry making, and many valuable lessons shared by community experts. The staff was composed of active and retired teachers, along with other volunteers. A culminating program took place on the last day. Each child was given a backpack stocked with school supplies. On the last day, everyone enjoyed a pizza party that included pizza, sodas, water and ice cream.
PAC PUBLIC SERVICE NEWS
Adopt-A-Spot Program: South Crater Road Petersburg
October 31, 2015
The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter cleaned South Crater Road on October 31, 2015 in support of the City of Petersburg’s Adopt-A-Spot Program and the Commonwealth’s Clean-Up Initiatives. The city asks that cleanup take place four times per year, with a minimum of 2 service dates. Because safety is imperative, reflective vests, trash bags, and gloves were provided, by the city, to each participant upon arrival.
This program continues to be a valuable service to our community because it promotes economic development as this corridor is adjacent to homes and businesses and several major U.S. thoroughfares; promotes physical/ mental health by encouraging walking and light exercise; and promotes sisterhood by giving our members yet another opportunity to see each other in a different capacity and to get to know each other.
2015 PSAT/SAT Workshop
October 24, 2015
The annual PSAT/SAT workshop was hosted by PAC on October 24, 2015 at Vernon Johns Middle School in Petersburg, Virginia. Sixty-four students and thirteen parents attended.
Presenter, Carl M. Goode, Jr., president CAPS, Inc. highlighted test taking strategies for test performance.
2015 St. Jude Walk/Run
September 26, 2015
The St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer took place on September 26, 2015 at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp in Richmond, Virginia.
St. Jude supporters in Greater Richmond and in 58 cities nationwide partipated in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we helped St. Jude change the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Habitat for Humanity
June 13, 2015
On June 13, 2015, PAC members and other supporters participated in the annual "Walk for Habitat". The 5k stroll through beautiful Walnut Hill was exhilarating and fun for all participant. We enjoyed the fellowship and laughter while supporting each other, as well as providing economic assistance in aiding a family to secure an affordable home. A monetary contribution was also donated in the name of Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
International Awareness & Involvement
May 2015
Soror Yvette Robinson, PAC's International Awareness & Involvement Co-Chair, attended the Consecration Service for long term missionaries to Kenya Cornell & Carol Jones in May 2015, held at the Emmanuel Baptist church in Newport News, VA. They took a financial gift to the Kenya A.I.C. Girls Boarding from the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter.
Project LEAD
Posted May 27, 2015
The Petersburg Alumnae Chapter’s LEAD Participants completed a public service project titled “PAC Lends A Helping Hand”. The project consisted of the PAC LEAD Participants giving back packs to the homeless, poor and/or disadvantaged. Each back pack was filled with survival items such as: blankets, sunglasses, socks, toiletries, rain ponchos, bottled water and snacks. A total of 67 back packs were donated to the Downtown Churches United, Inc. - HOPE Center in Petersburg, VA to be distributed during their lunch time feeding / meal program. All back packs and survival items were donated by the PAC members, family and friends.
Book Buddies
Posted during the 2014-2015 Sorority Year
One of the major programs under the auspices of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust is Educational Development. Book Buddies is an established program under Educational Development of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter (PAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The program encourages children to enjoy reading, promotes literacy, and enhances language development. Book Buddies is a bi-monthly program where students are read books by members of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter from October to May of the school year. Fourteen Petersburg Alumnae Chapter sorors are committed to serve on the Book Buddies committee. The target grade level is 2ndand 3rd graders. Currently, Book Buddies serves three local schools, J. E. B. Stuart Elementary School in Petersburg, Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg and Dinwiddie Elementary School in Dinwiddie, Virginia. Book Buddies’ goal is to provide books to students so that they can own a book and begin a personal library at home. Beginning in January 2015, the Book Buddies Committee will begin collecting donated books appropriate for first, second and third graders and end collection in April 2015. Books may be dropped off at the executive and chapter meetings.
Some highlights include:
-
Book Buddies at Robert E. Lee on February 13, 2015 in celebration of Black History Month. We read stories about famous African Americans. Embellished in African dress and presenting show stopping posters, we reached out to four classes of 3rd grade students.
-
Book Buddies at Robert E.Lee on March 2, 2015 in celebration of Dr. Seuss' Day. We read books by Dr. Seuss, wore our Dr. Seuss hats and passed out Dr. Seuss pencils, bookmarks and erasers.
-
Book Buddies at Dinwiddie Elementary on March 19, 2015. March is nutrition month; therefore out theme was "Healthy Eating."
Kathleen Murphy, Chair Rosa Kerns-Smith, Co-Chair
Habitat for Humanity
Posted October 25 & November 8, 2014
October 25, 2014 - Volunteer workers were treated to lunch, pizza and drinks provided by Petersburg Alumnae Chapter. There were ten workers from Fort Lee on the work site located at 2026 Ferndale Ave. Six PAC committee members participated in setting up and fellowshipping with the volunteers. An explanation as to how the home would be rehabbed was shared by the construction manager of Habitat.
November 8, 2014 - A Habitat Community Service Day was held when PAC members volunteered to assist at the ReStore, located at 928 Commerce St., from 9 am to noon. Eleven Sorors participated in moving, unpacking, organizing and pricing items. There were some who couldn’t resist and purchased some very good buys to support the cause. We were thanked and welcomed to return to work in the Restore, as well as, to actually assist in rehabbing a home.
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Their mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Posted November 29, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter continued it annual tradition of service by "ringing the bell" for Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. Chapter members worked in 1 hour shifts (4 to 6 per shift) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Colonial Heights, Virginia Wal-Mart.
From its humble beginnings in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable charitable campaigns in the United States. It provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.
The Salvation Army has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.
2014 St. Jude Thanks Walk
Posted November 22, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae, Chesterfield Alumnae and Henrico Alumnae Chapters along with chapters around the country participated in the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk. Seven members of “Team Petersburg Alumnae – DST” laced up shoes and were ready for walk day. The team joined more than 65 communities across the country in the fund raising efforts for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The exciting event helped to raise funds to support the life long mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
2014 Annual Thanksgiving Basket Donations
Posted November 20, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter continued its annual tradition of assembling and delivering Thankgiving food baskets to families in need within our community. Sorors came together to pack and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to 7 families within our service area. Chapter members donated items for the baskets. Each family received 2-3 boxes of food items for a complete meal and more along with a gift card or cash donation.
PSAT/SAT Workshop
Posted October 18, 2014
I'Petersburg Alumnae Chapter hosted its annual PSAT/SAT Workshop at Historic Southside High School Education Center in Dinwiddie, Virginia. The workshop was open to secondary students in: Petersburg, Virginia; Hopewell, Virginia; Dinwiddie, Virginia; Sussex, Virginia; Prince George County; Colonial Heights, Virginia and Chesterfield County. Presenter, Yolanda H. Jones, Home Bound Instructor Petersburg City Public Schools, highlighted test taking strategies for PSAT/SAT, and provided tools to perform on any standardized test. Students were attentive and engaged in writing and math activities. Ms. Jones encouraged participants to use the websites www.thatquiz.org and www.jlab.org for test preparation. She said: "Students have great success with this if they make the commitment and stay with it twenty minutes a day." Refreshments were served. There were drawings for an iPad and several Flash Drives.
2014 Delta Adventures In Reading Enrichment
Posted September 15, 2014
Petersburg Alumnae Chapter hosted its annual Delta Adventures in Reading Enrichment (DARE) program partnered with the Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) and met daily July 8 - 31, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gillfield Baptist Church Petersburg, Virginia. A total of 38 students participated in activities each week designed to enhance vocabulary, word analysis, comprehension, and other reading and writing skills. The students were exposed to story telling, jewelry making, and many valuable lessons shared by community experts. The staff was composed of active and retired teachers, along with other volunteers. A culminating program took place on the last day. Each child was given a backpack stocked with school supplies. On the last day, everyone enjoyed a pizza party that included pizza, sodas, water and ice cream.