GO GREEN...OPERATION GREEN THAT IS!

Page last updated 11/16/09

 ~ FALL 2009 SERVICE PROJECTS

 Next Up!! 

~SATELLITE SERIES PRESENTATIONS~

    Second Seminar of the Series! Honors Seminar Series 2:

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17TH @ 6:00 PM

EAST CAMPUS COMMUNITY ROOM

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"TREK AGAINST TRASH" ARIZONA REGIONAL PROJECT

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST    8:00AM-12:00PM

CHECK THE 'CALENDAR' PAGE FOR MORE!

NEW CHAPTER PROJECT 

Alpha Beta Chi Gift Cupboard / Honors Study Topic Issue 9 “Individual, Family, and Community Life”

It is well known that poverty has many adverse effects on those who fall into its grasp, such as increased rates of disease and mortality, high educational drop-out rates and incidences of depression. Studies have also shown that poverty is directly related to decreased self esteem which in many cases contributes to advancing depression and poor academic performance. There are some children who manage to avoid these effects, most of whom report having a strong connection from their families, feeling loved and supported despite the hardships they endure. Something as simple as receiving a book or toy in recognition of their birthday or a good grade on a test can help to strengthen these essential family bonds.

A message from Dan Singer, Vice President of Membership and Gift Cupboard Committee Chair:

Imagine that you have lost your job, your security, and your healthcare. Unemployment benefits have run out, savings are almost gone, and the future prospects are looking very bleak. You and your family are now facing the prospect of going hungry and maybe for the first time in your memory you feel the panic of not knowing how or when you are going to get your next meal. The food banks and community food pantries save many people from the horrendous prospect of starvation.

I would like to retell a story told to me by Linda Lyons, one of our officers and a volunteer at her local food pantry. A young mother had come in to pick up her weekly supply of food with her toddler daughter. Linda mentioned that the little girl’s birthday was coming up. The mother immediately covered her daughter’s ears and whispered that they were trying to keep that quiet as they did not have anything to celebrate the little girl’s birthday. They were hoping that it would just go by unnoticed. Some birthday cake had come into the food pantry that morning and it was offered to the woman for the little girl’s birthday.  Tears welled up in the young mother’s eyes, she was now able to invite the neighbors over and have a party with Kool-Aid and cake for her little daughter.

Helping people is more than keeping them from starving; sometimes it is just a small gift such as a little birthday cake or a token for their small children. Alpha Beta Chi has decided to take this one step further. Our plan is to set up gift cupboards in the local food banks allowing parents to pick a small gift for their child’s birthday or some other event. Gently used puzzles, children’s books, and toys are perfect as we not only give them to someone else to cherish, but we also keep them from landfills.

To accomplish this we need help from all our members.  We need people to go to their local food banks and talk to community groups to help make these gift cupboards self-sustaining. If you would like to help with contacting food banks, performing research to create a presentation, or speaking to community groups, contact us at giftcupboardptk@yahoo.com . This is an opportunity for you to become involved in your community. Most importantly you will have the chance to put a smile on a child’s face and give them a sweet memory that they will have for the rest of their lives.

 RECENT PAST PROJECTS

TUCSON ADOPTION CELEBRATION EVENT

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14TH 10-1PM~UDALL PARK

click here..... TUCSON ADOPTION EVENT FLYER

click.....Community Garden Forum & Panel Discussion

PCC Desert Vista Campus Community Garden Project Panel Discussion  & Community Forum

Thursday October 22nd 6:30 pm Desert Vista Ocotillo Room.

First Seminar of the Series! Honors Seminar Series 1:

PBS Journalist Ray Suarez presents: "If you're so rich, how come you're not happier?: America's troubled relationship with class, material success and the pursuit of happiness" 

Wednesday October 28th 6:00pm East Campus Community Room.

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