Chair Preceptor Alpha Omega: The Marines will be at the December 5th meeting to pick up toy donations—all Chapters are asked to bring at least one unwrapped gift.
SERVICE
Each year we, the sisters of Beta Sigma Phi, support a service project. The Albuquerque City Council has also sponsored a service project each year. At the inception of our City Council in 1947, the Service Committee researched and proposed several worthy causes for City Council consideration--Raising funds to donate to groups such as All Faith’s Receiving Home, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Carrie Tingely Hospital, Red Cross and many others; donation of clothing and food to The Storehouse, Food Bank, St. Felix’s Pantry and others; donation of service such as helping these and other organization by volunteering to work. The Service Committee after vote by City Council on the Years Project would put together various funding ideas—raffles, garage sales, cake bakes and others. The goals were to provide as much for the chosen recipient as possible.
As all plans change over time, the idea that City Council Service project be big and make a STATEMENT began to get more than the chapters and sisters wanted and thus the proposal was made that City Council pick an on-going project to support that would not change from year to year. After much searching and discussion, it was decided by the Executive Board and passed by the membership that the U.S. Marine Corp “Toys for Tots” drive each Christmas season to provide toys and games for needy children would be the City Council yearly Service. The tradition was and still is that each chapter would bring one or more unwrapped gift for a boy or girl valued at $10 or more to the December City Council meeting. This collection of gifts would then be accepted by representatives of the local “Toys for Tots” Marines assigned to this project.
This project has been most successful and fulfilling for City Council and many toys, games and crafts have been given. We will again be collecting items for this drive at the December 1st City Council meeting. The current committee chair has also received a request from the Marines that volunteer position are needing additional hands. If you wish to find out more, call Preceptor Alpha, Beth Talbert to volunteer or get ideas of needs for collection.
Janice Swope, reporting
For more information, check the Toys for Tots program web site here
