Greek organizations in Selma assisting tornado victims

Published 3:12 pm Monday, January 23, 2023

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Most of the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations in Dallas County have spent a lot of their time assisting tornado victims in Selma.

The Dallas County chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities along with the Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities have been working together to help residents recover from the tornado that struck Selma on January 12.

The Zeta Eta Omega chapter of AKAs teamed up with visiting Psi Omicron Omega and Alpha Beta XI on MLK Holiday last Monday giving out over 150 hygiene bags, and bags with baby items and serving over 100 hot meals to families in Selma affected by the tornado.

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“The sorority’s next steps include working and servicing the greatest need as Selma heals,” AKA member Monica Gayle said.

The Omega Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi turned their fraternity house into a distribution hub, providing toiletries, tarp, plywood, and water cleaning supplies to tornado victims. The fraternity has hot meals for tornado victims every day. They also received assistance from their state, district, and international leaders.

“The January 12 storm devastated our community and we knew immediately we had to act,” said Omega Psi Phi member Collins Pettaway III.  “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support from the City of Selma, community leaders, and those who consistently support our efforts.”

The Delta Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has spent most of its time feeding tornado victims and giving away food at First Baptist Church.

Selma City Council President Billy Young, a member of the Black Belt Alphas, said it’s all about healing the Queen City.

“We are a community of nonprofits and churches and they are the heart of our community,” Young said. “Love is an action, and we are being shown love through these demonstrations. Disaster really puts things into perspective for you.”

The Gamma Alpha Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has been active, assisting tornado victims at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church preparing hot meals, and delivering supplies.

Karen Bailey, Shelly McGee, Lynda Lowery, Dr. Denisha Hendricks, and her mother Dr. Constance Hendricks of the Dallas County Zetas have led the effort.

“While we are a small chapter, we are strategic in responding to our community’s needs with the resources we have,” Zeta Phi Beta member Dr. Constance Hendricks said.

The Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. worked with several organizations to assist tornado victims. The events include: Soup for Selma in partnership with The Coffee Shoppe, joining Wendell Hughes, Owner of Chillin On Wheels BBQ and Catering LLC. in which hot meals were prepared at Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School for pickup and delivery to the affected neighborhoods

“The Selma Alumnae Chapter has and will continue to use our social media platform to share important information regarding services and resources with the community,” Delta Sigma Theta member Krystal Dozier said. “ This platform has been consistent with daily and hourly updates with need-to-know information. We are grateful for the partnership with Wendell Hughes and the opportunity to meet someone with a big heart and promise to return.”