BY DEXTER MCCREE, Feature Writer
PETERSBURG — The holiday season has kicked off and has a way of causing a festive mood of giving, cheers and good will toward humankind. Each year in Nov., the hearts of people seems to align with a change in the weather, prompting good attitudes and joyful spirits.
The St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity along with members of the Kappa League Male Leadership Institute gave back to the community and brought a measure of holiday cheers to 12 families by distributing Thanksgiving turkeys at their 12th annual Turkey Basket Giveaway.
Since 1962, the St. Petersburg Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has been giving back to the community, and the Thanksgiving season is no exception. Last month, the organization provided food baskets for families who came to the Edward and Garnell Jenkins Center for Social Justice. The families were pre-selected by the Pinellas County Health Department and Anointed Word Fellowship Church.
“Many people are in need for various reasons, and we are happy to be able to help put a warm meal on the table, said the fraternity’s newly-elected polemarch Kelvin George. “Of our core principles, one of our objectives for Kappa Alpha Psi, Incorporated is to inspire service in the public interest, and by teaming up with Anointed Word Fellowship, we can achieve that objective.”
Teaming up with the fraternity, the Kappa League Male Leadership Institute helped with signing in families and delivering turkeys.
The Kappa League is a program for the educational, occupational and social guidance of male students in grades 6-12. Founded on Feb. 12, 1969, by the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Alain LeRoy Locke High School, it was designed to help young men grow, receive and develop their leadership talents in every phase of human endeavor.
“Doing the holiday basket giveaway is essential to what we’re trying to promote in our members of Kappa League. This event shows us examples of how to give back and impact the lives of people,” said Maximus Montana, president of the Kappa League Male Leadership Institute and ninth-grader at Clearwater High.
Jaiden Jones, a 10th grader at St. Petersburg High, expressed how nice it feels to put a smile on someone’s face and show those in need that there are people they can count on to provide a helping hand.
LaShante Keys, Kappa League director and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, has worked with the young men and hopes that they see the importance of community service.
The Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is an activity the fraternity has committed to for a number of years, and it is always an excellent opportunity for the students to see how fortunate they are to have what they have.
‘Tis the season for bells to be ringing and the St Petersburg Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi to spread joy to the community.
To reach Dexter McCree, email dmccree@theweeklychallenger.com
