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| COMMUNITY SERVICE Why is community service so important to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.? Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in our slogan “Greater Service Greater Progress”. We have a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist. Our service not only exists locally and nationally, but globally as well. Sigma Gamma Rho, in its quest to expand its area of service, actively participates in the sponsoring of national and international programs designed for the improved welfare of all people. Through support of human rights legislation, service to and support of grass roots individual and community development activity, and through active participation in the programs of affiliate and other organizations, we are committed to working to improve the quality of our lives and the society we serve. What are some of the local community service projects that we work on annually? Project Wee Savers This project is designed to develop an awareness of various banking facilities and their available services. The goal of Wee Savers is to allow participants (ranging from ages 6 to 18 years-old) to become knowledgeable of the real life skills of saving and buying stocks and bonds. Participants experience the real life skills of basic investing, setting specific goals attainable through monitoring and mentoring of money and activities. Local offices of State Farm Insurance and Northwester Mutual Life have partnered with Gamma Pi Sigma chapter to provide educational tools to local youth. OPERATION BigBookBag A Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority International Project in Partnership with the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. Sorority and Shrine members make available, to selected facilities across the nation, book bags, notebooks, writing and drawing paper, pencils and pens, dictionaries, thesauri, rulers, glue, construction paper, textbooks, encyclopedia, typewriters, computers and many other needed school items. Made available also through the efforts of both memberships is a nation-wide tutoring and mentoring program designed for the benefit of the children housed at said facilities. The effective and overall implementation of OPERATION BigBookBag serves as an invaluable resource to the children by: (1) Affording children with quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help them in their educational endeavors; (2)Providing the children with the means of completing their homework assignments in order that they may remain current and up -to -date on course projects and requirements and (3) Assisting the shelters, centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of the children and young adults housed at the facilities. Locally, the Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter donates school supplies and assistance at the annual MLK Back-To-School Event and Milwaukee Fire Department Back-to-School Event. Sigma Youth Symposium Sponsored in conjunction with and in commemoration of Sigma Week, the Sigma Youth Symposium focuses on some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact our youth: drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, etc. Held annually each spring by local Alumnae Chapters, simultaneously, Sigma Youth Symposiums address issues that affect teens today. Locally, the 2008 Sigma Youth Symposium featured the following workshops: LAW & ORDER- presented by the National Black Police Association & Ernette Griggs (Milwaukee County Probation & Parole); “DRESS” TO IMPRESS: APPROPRIATE ATTIRE (& ATTITUDE) FOR ALL OCCASIONS – presented by Jerrilynn Freelon (Northwestern Mutual), Tasha Davis (ADP), and Natasha Smiley (Kohler Corp.); and EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY: MEALTIME ETIQUETTE – presented by Tammy Griffin-Rice (Milwaukee Public Schools) and Sister Keyana Jeffries (Milwaukee Public Schools). Fifty select middle and high school students from throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area participated in this event and received certificates of participation and prized from the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bonecrushers, Milwaukee Wave and Milwaukee Admirals. Black History Quiz Bowl Each year, the Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and its 501(c)3 arm, The Sigma Legacy Fund, provides a unique opportunity for area youth to gain knowledge of African American history while competing in a structured environment at their annual Black History Quiz Bowl. The participants gain a profound knowledge of African American history, focusing on the significant impacts that African Americans have made locally, statewide and nationally. A few weeks prior to the Quiz Bowl, teams register and receive a study guide that allows them to get a general idea of the types of questions that may be asked during the game. The topics range from "Historically Black Colleges and Universities" to "The Harlem Renaissance” and many more in between. Winners receive prizes, Certificates of Recognition, and trophies, while all of the participants come away with a wealth of knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. February 2008 marked the 23rd year that Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has coordinated this truly exciting and educational event. Seventy-nine students, representing 22 teams across the Milwaukee-metropolitan area registered for the 2008 event. Cancer Awareness & Education Cognizant that African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of cancer — the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group — Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is committed to providing education on and active support of early detection as well research for the prevention and cure of breast, prostate, ovarian, colon and other types of cancers. In addition to participating in the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Briggs & Al’s Run for Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Sankofa Project, the Gamma Pi Sigma chapter annually participates in the following events: American Cancer Society: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk has been the rallying cry to make breast cancer a thing of the past. Pledges are dedicated to life-saving American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and service efforts to defeat this disease. American Cancer Society: Relay For Life This is an 18- hour continuous relay walk around the Marquette Valley Field. This walk is for anyone who has been affected by any type of cancer in any way, shape, or form. Thousands of dollars are raised during this event and are used towards the efforts of eradicating this disease. Project Reassurance The care and protection of children is, first and foremost, a family concern. But when teenagers have babies, the consequences run throughout society. Children born to teenage parents are more likely to be of low birth weight and to suffer from inadequate health care, more likely to leave High School without graduating and more likely to be poor, thus perpetuating a cycle of unrealized potential. Originally conducted in partnership with the March of Dimes, chapters sponsor Workshops and other activities that assist pregnant teens and educate teen mothers about the importance of pre-natal and post-natal care, and to better understand infant care and child development. Gamma Pi Sigma chapter works to provide support to local community resource center, like New Concepts Self- Development Center, that aid in educating teen parents. Mwanamugimu (Wah-nah-moo-gee-moo) Essay Contest The Mwanamugimu Essay contest's primary goal is to provide an opportunity for students to increase their knowledge of the historical and contemporary development of Africa.;its objectives are to provide the target population with opportunities that (1) allow structured ways to learn about Africa;conferences. TheThe awareness of African cultural heritage; and (3) improve writing and research skills. The project title, Mwanamugimu, is a proverb form the Republic of Uganda that means "from small acorns come mighty oaks." Chapters sponsor local essay contests that usually include awards programs. Regional contests are also held, with winning essays announced at regional conferences. The theme for this year is, “ Africa, the foundation of many nations…from Creation to Infinity.” Please contact Gamma Pi Sigma chapter to participate in this year’s Essay Contest. Project Africare Working in partnership with Africare, for many years Sigma Gamma Rho has assisted in providing thousands of dollars to purchase grain grinders for African women to help alleviate their back-breaking work. The project focus has now evolved- as have the needs to address this issue- to include financial literacy and HIV/AIDS awareness, education and treatment. Gamma Pi Sigma provides financial support to further this cause. National Marrow Donor Program Established in 1992, this initiative was developed to address and reduce the number of African American deaths due to a lack of sufficient numbers of race appropriate bone marrow donors. The program focuses on the education and recruitment of sorority member, affiliate and community donors. On a local level, Gamma Pi Sigma chapter provides educational resources to the community to encourage more donors. * * * * * * * |
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