New toys for children and new blood for fraternity

BY ALLEN A. BUCHANAN, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG – The Men of the Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. presented four new chapter members during their inaugural Toy Drive at the Enoch Davis Center earlier this month.

Over 60 people came out to donate two tables stacked with toys for needy children in the community who otherwise would not have a gift for Christmas. The kind endeavor for the holidays is part of the chapter’s resurgence under the youthful leadership of Cedric Ferrell, who has been groomed as the fraternity president by Jett Jackson.

The Toy Drive culminated Tues., Dec 23 when the toys were given away to disadvantaged children at the Enoch Davis Center by Supervisor Lynette Buchanan and support staff.

An additional attraction during the Toy Drive collection were the proud parents and grandparents who cheered and watched as four new fraternity brothers were officially inducted into the local Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The young men were Isaac Walls, Antwan Jackson, Maurice McClover and Corey Givens. These four young men will carry the torch of blue and white brotherhood and service into the next half century of the new millennium.

Ferrell has high hopes for the resurgence of the fraternity, but realizes it will not all happen overnight.

“I have a one year plan to begin to rebuild our chapter by increasing our membership and servicing the community of St. Pete,” said Ferrell. He said that the fraternity can recruit young men with at least 60-credit hours from the University of South Florida in Tampa because fraternities are not allowed at the St. Pete Campus.

The St. Petersburg Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma was founded by Samuel Kicklighter in 1963. In the ensuing years, Ferrell and the rest of the local chapter of Delta Omicron Sigma look forward to continued growth and service to the St. Petersburg community.

To reach Allen Buchanan, email abuchanan@theweeklychallenger.com