Sorority reaches those in need with coat and toy drive in Calumet Park

By David Pollard For Chronicle Media

Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and supporters look over toys donated at organization’s annual toy and coat drive. (Photo by David Pollard/for Chronicle Media)

What started out as a group of sorority sisters committed to serving the less fortunate around the Christmas holidays has grown to do that and more.

Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Tau Psi Zeta Chapter and their supporters, out of Alsip, had their annual Toy Drive, Raffle and Coat Drive event at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Calumet Middle School in Calumet Park, Ill. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is a historically African-American sorority, with thousands of chapters located across the United States.

This sorority’s particular chapter is located in the south suburbs of Cook County and during their two-hour event they received hundreds of donations.

Adrienne Shenault, president of the sorority’s auxiliary organization, Zeta Amicae, said they usually get around 300 coats at the annual event, which is in its’ 13th year.

“We take them (coats) and drop them off at different people’s homes, school classrooms and people that may be in need of a new coat,” she said.
Tameka Sharriff, chapter president, said some of the coats and toys are donated to South Suburban PADS, which provides shelter and resources for the homeless.

While the donations rolled in there were plenty of food, music and activities for members who brought their children along.

Anita Shenault, 13, donates coats at Zeta Phi Beta annual toy and coat drive

Leticia Williams, a member of the sorority, helped the youth in attendance create festive holiday crafts during the event.

“The kids really enjoy themselves,” she said. They were really engaged. It was really a productive day.”

Renee Byrd, a sorority member and a founder of the chapter remembers when they started the holiday drive and is proud of how big it has grown.  She said initially it was just members of the chapter donating clothes, but she said that’s what she along with being a member of the sorority is all about.

“I’ve always been a giver,” she said. “I’m not a holiday giver, I’m an all-year giver and I really feel blessed to be in a position to give to others. The sorority gives me a structured avenue to give.”

 

Read the current issue of the Cook County Chronicle

 

Free subscription to the digital edition of the Cook County Chronicle

 

— Sorority reaches those in need with coat and toy drive in Calumet Park —