Community Voices: Sigmas host annual backpack giveaway

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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter distributed 200 backpacks, and school supplies, during its annual D.O.S. Back-to-School Giveaway event Aug. 2.

The giveaway was in partnership with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter; Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Delta Chapter; Skyway Barber Shop; Chill Will Barber Shop; Akdphi; and the Law Offices of Attorney Dyril L. Fanagan.

“This was the sixth year we have hosted the Back-to-School Giveaway, but this year is especially important as many of our local Pinellas county families’ finances have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bro. Corey Givens Jr. “One of the principles of our fraternity is service, and we’re honored to be able to serve local families by providing them with access to much needed school supplies.”

Personal donations were made to the foundation from members of the community to sponsor additional haircuts for those young men who were interested.

“I’m happy that we were able to innovate a unique approach to better serve our community and our students,” said Bro. Christopher Lampley, Vice President, Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter and Event Committee Chair. “The D.O.S. Crescent Foundation educational partners were able to provide dozens of students with backpacks filled with hand sanitizer, notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, and other essential school supplies.

Brishauna Davis, D.O.S. Crescent Foundation Community Outreach Chair, says that next year’s giveaway will be even bigger. “It’s nothing like seeing a smile on a child’s face when they get that backpack. Our goal is to see more of those smiles next year,” said Davis.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 1914, by three college students,  A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown, on the principles of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service.