The Zeta Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. decided to expand its usual tradition of providing bottled water to the participants of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade to a project more hands-on in the Waller community. The chapter organized a community-wide coat drive called the “Warming Hearts Project” that took place during the parade on Jan. 19.
Members of the community said they had seen a number of children at their bus stops on cold mornings without a sufficient layer of outerwear and the ladies in the chapter, along with members of the community, were able to collect over 100 new and used coats and blankets for children and adults. The guidelines were that the coats must be clean and in wearable condition.
Chapter president Jullette Spivey said, “What made this event so special is that President Obama declared that MLK Day be a day of service nationwide. We’ve always done so, but this year we’ve expanded our efforts to meet the needs of our community. MLK Day is a ‘day on’ for us rather than a day off.”
“We are currently accepting donations. We don’t turn away any charitable efforts,” said Spivey. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Spivey in W.R. Banks, suite 129. “We have always been an organization of service.”