Contact:
Sasha Mercedes,
Director of Public Relations
PR@OmegaPhiBeta.org
NEW YORK, New York… April 1, 2010.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) is hosting an initiative entitled “Betas Rock the Planet” during the entire month of April to be held primarily within the New York Metropolitan Area. This national initiative will consist of an educational program, a community service endeavor, and a closing celebratory event, collectively shedding light on the issues affecting our precious planet Earth.
In alignment with one of the seven goals of OPBSI, this initiative will aim to spread awareness and educate people about the need of their involvement in protecting our environment worldwide. As environmental issues continue to escalate, it is critical to focus on preserving the planet we inhabit so that not only we but also our children, grandchildren, and so on can enjoy life on Earth for centuries to come. “There’s no better way to contribute to our own planet than to spend a month in reverence of its beauty,” said Janille Esquilin, Vice President of Programming.
In addition to the aforementioned programs, OPBSI is also launching a recycling contest during which its entities and affiliates across the nation will host a Recycling Drive within their respective communities. All collected recyclables will be deposited and proceeds yielded from these recyclables will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, the leading conservation organization rooted in working to protect land and water around the world, benefiting both the environment and people across the globe.
The initiative will conclude with a commemorative picnic to celebrate forty years of Earth Day as well as the culmination of “Betas Rock the Planet” where sisters, family, and friends will enjoy food, fun activities, and nothing but nature at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan. All waste produced at this event will be recycled and disposed of appropriately.
"Betas Rock the Planet"
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A national initiative to spread awareness and educate people about the need of their involvement in protecting our environment worldwide.
Earth Wars
Date: Thursday, April 15
Time: 7:30PM
Location: TBA | New York, NY
Details: How much do you know about the Earth and the issues that affect our environment? Put your knowledge to the test at this Family Feud style game show where two teams battle it out for the grand prize!
Clean Up Our Earth Day
Date: Sunday, April 18
Time: 10:00AM
Location: Morningside Park | 112 Street & Morningside Avenue | New York, NY
Details: Get your hands dirty for a great cause while you do your part to help clean up the park! Remember to dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather.
Earth Day Par-tay!
Date: Saturday, May 1
Time: 1:00PM-4:00PM
Location: Riverbank State Park | 135 Street & Riverside Drive | New York, NY
Details: Celebrate 40 years of Earth Day and the culmination of Betas Rock the Planet at this commemorative picnic in the park. Enjoy food, fun activities, and nothing but nature in the company of sisters, family, and friends. All waste produced at this event will be recycled appropriately. If you would like to contribute recyclables of your own, feel free to bring them along! Money accrued from recyclables will be donated to The Nature Conservancy.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a NALFO organization member, is a Latina-oriented sorority founded on March 15, 1989, at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Seventeen women of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together to defy the injustices suffered by women, particularly women of color, in the academic, professional and political arenas. The purpose of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership, and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. For further information visit:
www.OmegaPhiBeta.org.
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. For further information visit:
www.nature.org.