The members of Beta Chi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha recently met at the home of Tammy Akines.
The focus for the meeting was a service project to help support the military called “Hope for Heroes.” Members collected items that are sent overseas which included sunflower seeds, chewing gum, hand sanitizer, socks and Chapstick. Members also discussed plans for the annual Christmas shopping for the Salvation Army Tree. The chapter annually adopts two children and two senior citizens and purchases items they have on their wish list.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha of Arkansas annually supports Easter Seals in which Beta Chi supports each year with a donation. Easter Seals provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Last year, Easter Seals of Arkansas served over 19,000 individuals.
DeAnn Stewart, philanthropic chair of the chapter, discussed plans to support CASA of Jefferson County each month. She is asking members to bring specific items to be dropped off monthly such as pillows, paper products, flashlights, and postage stamps. Also the chapter annually “Stocks the Pantry” for CASA in the spring.
Charlotte Garrett and Akines both attended the Southeastern Regional Conference held the weekend of Oct. 28-29 at Charleston, S.C. The 2011 conference theme was “Palmetto by the Sea.” Akines was elected first vice president/president elect. The SERC Council is a 12-state region which includes Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Beta Chi along with Sigma Nu of Pine Bluff and Alpha Xi El Dorado will be hosting the 2012 State Convention at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain April 20-22. Akines is the co-chair of the convention along with Ann Southall of El Dorado. The theme of the convention is “Struttin on the Mountain.” Special guests for the convention will be Rose Pasillas, International Council president from Texas, and Anita Kay Hilburn, recording secretary from the Southeastern Regional Council from Louisiana.
Prior to the meeting, a chili supper was hosted by Akines, which included chili, cheese, sour cream, crackers, Fritos and coconut cream cake.