Gamma Pi LIVE: Gamma Pi Shows Local Seniors Some Love -- Like No Others Can

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Gamma Pi Shows Local Seniors Some Love -- Like No Others Can

If you had asked one of the seniors who attended Saturday’s Gamma Pi Chapter Seniors banquet what was the best part of the afternoon festivities, they would have had a very difficult time making a decision. Some might have said it was the food. No question, hands down, it was another extraordinary down-home Southern style meal purchased and prepared by the Brothers. Others might have said it was the music. Again, no question, as the Gamma Pi Chorale brought down the house in a way that brought to mind some of the great gospel groups of all time. And to some, the best part of the event was the “name that tune” singing game led by energetic stand-in emcee Bro. George Montgomery. And who could not feel the overwhelming spirit from the powerful delivery of The Word by Gamma Pi Chaplain Bro. Rev. Brian King, expounding on the subject ”thorny business?” Frankly, if there was one thing all the attendees agreed on it was that Gamma Pi – the Super Chapter, the ”Ques” – topped itself yet again for another annual seniors banquet.

“It was awesome.” “We had so much fun.” “I love the male chorus. They sound better than the men at my church!" "I can't wait to come back next year.” This is what was heard from several seniors while they boarded the charter motor coach home after the banquet. Actually, they did not want to leave.

In typical Gamma Pi fashion, Brothers made it look easy on Saturday at Gethsemane United Methodist Church. The entire event, under the planning and direction of Bro Sheku Alieu and his crew, went very smoothly, like clockwork, from the food preparation to the restaurant-style delivery of the piping hot meals to seniors at their tables, to the quality and organization of the entire spiritual and entertainment program. It was Gamma Pi first class -- all the way.

For Gamma Pi Chapter, this is nothing new. Gamma Pi never goes halfway on anything. When it comes to our seniors in Prince George’s County, the Brothers give extra effort. The annual summer banquet is just one of several activities Gamma Pi organizes for seniors – quarterly birthday celebrations, an outdoor cookout, and social events like paint ‘n sip night. The Super Chapter covers the whole county from north to south, from east to west, focusing mainly on pockets of distress wedged in and around the classy neighborhoods of what has become a prosperous enclave for African Americans. Gamma Pi has served residents of all ages all over Prince George's County through five decades. Gamma Pi is Prince George's County.

This year’s senior banquet was the largest ever. It is one of the most popular social action events each year. Typically about 100 seniors attend the event, with many of them traveling by chartered bus. But this year there was absolutely “no more room at the inn” as every single seat in the house was taken and no more extra chairs could be added to the long rows of table.

One thing about Gamma Pi's seniors banquet. There is no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen. The kitchen was crowded with Brothers at times -- maybe even packed -- but nobody was standing around. Brothers each had a role to play and they knew exactly what to do and when and how. It showed in how fast the seniors were served.

It was a great way for Gamma Pi to start the summer for some of the most overlooked and forgotten people in our community -- our elderly citizens. For them, seeing the Gamma Pi Ques coming down the street is more exciting than seeing Santa Clause coming down the chimney on Christmas Day. Only the Super Chapter...the one and only...

(Photos from Bro. Terance Hare)