The Hilltop - Campus (Howard University)
Issue: 01/16/04
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/news...l?&mkey=926651
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Deltas Donate to Campus Closet
By Shara D. Taylor
As a part of the commemoration of the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, members of Deltas For Howard met in front of the Blackburn Center on Tuesday morning to donate clothes to the Campus Closet.
Campus Closet, which is sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, provides clothing for students seeking assistance with their professional wardrobe needs. Deltas For Howard, an aggregation of faculty, staff, and administrative members of the organization, decided that giving back the University would be the most fitting way of remembering their founders.
"As a public service organization, it is only appropriate to give back, especially on Founders' Day," sorority member and publications coordinator for the University Lawanza Spears said. She also believes that the members fully exhibited the public service element of the organization with Tuesday's donations.
"If there is one thing that Deltas have, it is clothes," member Barbara Williams said. "Before, there were only two outfits for women. Now, there will be [more] clothes for [them]. We love to do it and help stock the closet."
Marlene Mahoney, who worked closely with Dean of Residence Life Charles Gibbs to ensure the success of the project says that the effort will offer new opportunities to young students.
"This is a chance to support young women in higher education. It gives them an opportunity to be appropriately dressed and ready for the pursuit of education and professional employment," she said. "It is another way to support undergraduates and Residence Life. The idea of Campus Closet is a wonderful one."
Another sorority member, Aaro Jean Bell Reid, views the Deltas' public service activities as a means of continuing the tradition of community involvement that the founders began. "This shows the reaching out the Deltas have done since 1913. This is an activity that can lift us all up and help us advance," she said.
Gibbs appreciates the efforts put forth by Deltas For Howard.
"This [donation] means so much. Delta Sigma Theta answered the call and stepped up to the plate to assist the young ladies at Howard," he said. "Appearance is everything, and we will not be disappointed in the donations given today. The Deltas make our young ladies look good for luncheons, interviews, and black-tie affairs. We would like to keep this energy going."
Founded on January 13, 1913 on Howard's campus, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a public service organization that continues to promote community involvement.
It maintains a membership of over 250,000 college-educated women internationally.
Students may contact the Office of Residence Life for more information about the Campus Closet program.
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