Programs
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Alpha Beta Zeta works diligently to establish a positive reputation for outstanding service to the Virginia peninsula. To further this goal, the chapter sponsors and/or participates in the following programs:
ABZ Community Service Scholarship This $1,000 award is a one-time recognition of the community service and academic success accomplished by a student during her high school years. Interested students should submit a cover letter with the application packet that will become available by October 1, 2010. The scholarship application deadline is March 1, 2011. |
| Executive Board Retreat The ABZ Executive Board gathers each summer in July to fellowship, set goals for the coming year and plan chapter programs and activities. |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk ABZ chapter was selected as a “premier” chapter, representing Zeta in its new partnership with the American Cancer Society. Sorors participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk beginning in October 2008 and raised money for medical research. This project has become an annual event for Alpha Beta Zeta. This year's walk will take place at Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA on Saturday, October 9, 2010. |
| March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Sunday Hundreds of Peninsula residents learned about the challenges faced by many women, particularly women of color, during pregnancy. The March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Campaign, held each November, is designed to provide information to citizens about the numbers of babies born too soon each year. |
| Resource Mothers Program (Volunteers & Donor) The Resource Mothers program, sponsored by the Office of Human Affairs, provides support to young women with babies in Newport News and Hampton. These women receive information about prenatal care, parenting classes, and supplies such as diapers, formula, and baby clothes. ABZ assisted this organization with volunteer hours and a monetary donation. |
| Sponsoring Graduate Chapter to Rho Alpha @ Hampton University ABZ serves as the sponsoring graduate chapter to the Rho Alpha Chapter at Hampton University. |
| Bears & Holiday Stockings for Salvation Army ABZ annually creates holiday stockings stuffed with toys and school supplies for less fortunate children. Sorors also dress and donate bears for babies and toddlers served by the Salvation Army. |
Foodbank of Virginia Peninsula ABZ has collected and donated almost 2,000 lbs of food to the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula since the 2008-09 sorority year. Projects have included a special “Peanut Butter” drive in June 2009 and annual volunteer participation in the Foodbank's Tastefully Yours fund raiser. |
| Coats-for-Kids with WAVY TV 10 WAVY TV 10, our local NBC affiliate, sponsors the Coats for Kids program. ABZ Sorors are exclusively responsible for collecting coats from Farm Fresh grocery stores and Langley Federal Credit Union locations around the Peninsula and delivering these coats to Boulevard Cleaners locations for cleaning. We also participate in several coat distribution days at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA. |
| Co-Sponsor, Southeast Community Holiday Dinner The Southeast Community Holiday Dinner provides a hot, delicious meal to hundreds of homeless and less fortunate citizens in Newport News each year. ABZ supported the event this year with a monetary contribution and volunteers. |
Founders’ Day Observance ABZ plans special events on or near January 16th each year to celebrate the founding of our beloved Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the chartering of our chapter in 1939. Recent celebrations include a joint Founders' Day Luncheon with our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in 2008. Our 70th Chapter Anniversary and Founders’ Day Awards Luncheon in 2009 provided an opportunity for Sorors and guests to celebrate the 89th anniversary of our Sorority and to recognize the contributions of a dedicated Soror, Delores Marshall. Soror Marshall received the Juanita Scott Service Award. The award is named for Triumphant Soror Juanita H. Scott, one of the chapter’s first initiates, who passed away during the fall of 2008. The 2010 celebration provided an opportunity for Sorors and guests to fellowship during an Open House hosted by immediate past chapter president, Elva Williams Hunt. |
| Adopt-a-Spot ABZ participates in the clean community program with two (2) “Adopt-a-Spot” locations in Hampton, VA. One of our spots includes the Northampton Community Center (where the chapter meets monthly) and its grounds. |
| March of Dimes March for Babies Sponsor Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has served as a national partner with the March of Dimes since 1972. ABZ participates annually in the Peninsula March for Babies walk, serving as an official walk sponsor in 2009. ABZ members, their families and friends participate in the walk held at Christopher Newport University each April. Chapter members have raised over $2,000 for the March of Dimes each year. |
| Annual Hats of to Mom! Scholarship Fundraiser The Hats Off to Mom scholarship fundraiser, held on the first Saturday of May each year since 2008, serves as the primary event to support ABZ’s community service scholarships. Each year over 300 ladies (and a few gentlemen, too) gather for a fabulous luncheon and recognition program. During the event, we recognize the accomplishments of a few community “unsung heroes,” participate in a fabulous parade of hats, and conclude the afternoon with a responsive affirmation saluting mothers, mother-figures, and women of influence. |
Z-H.O.P.E. Projects (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) ABZ Chapter members participate actively in community service initiatives through Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s signature international service initiative, Z-HOPE. This program is designed to address the needs of women, men, youth, seniors, and international women of color through educational and personal development activities. Recent chapter Z-HOPE programs include a prostate cancer awareness initiative, Census 2010 partnership, and a Town Hall Forum on the Health Care Bill. |