Gamma Pi Brings Cheer to Local Seniors

Every year, the seniors in Gethsemane United Methodist Church and in the local community look forward to Gamma Pi's Seniors Banquet. This year did not disappoint. More than 50 seniors from the church in Capital Heights and the surrounding community enjoyed today's 36th Annual Seniors Banquet at the church fellowship hall. The theme for this year was, "Walking in a New Day." For two hours, Gamma Pi chapter Brothers provided the seniors with a meal and entertained with singing (Gamma Pi Chorale) and exciting door prizes. So often, seniors in our lives are overlooked. But they paved the way and set the table for today's generation to succeed. During difficult economic times, the banquet was a Godsend for seniors who may be struggling on fixed incomes. There were at least 30 Brothers in attendance working in the kitchen, waiting the tables and participating on the program. Seniors love the Super Chapter!

Youth, Parents Enjoy Closing Ceremony for Project ENRICH

Gamma Pi chapter's flagship education initiative, Project ENRICH, ended the 2008-09 year today with an exciting and uplifting closing ceremony held at Bowie State University. Nearly 200 students, parents, other family and friends turned out to congratulate students on completing another year. It was a special day for seniors in the program who began in the 9th grade when Project ENRICH was restarted in 2005 after a hiatus period. To fully complete the program, students must be active from 9th through 12th grades consecutively.

In conjunction with the Project ENRICH program, the Scholarship Committee also announced its winners Saturday. Headed by Brother Antonio Santos, the committee awarded $12,000 to eight Prince George's County students and an additional $8,000 will be made availavle for follow-on support for previous scholarship winners who are returning to college next year. The newly announced winners are: Brandon Edwin Browne (Bowie High), Melanie Nicole Countee (Flowers High), Dominique Felicia Gill (Suitland High), Kayla LaShell Harley (Suitland), Joy Mariah Hines (Bowie High), Tevin Terrell Jones (Flowers), Briana Maria Riche (Flowers), and Alexander Lloyd Strachan (Bowie). In addition, the chapter is awarding a $1,000 book grant to Thaddeus White III, a four-year participant in Project ENRICH who is enrolling in Morgan State University on a full scholarship in the Fall.

Are you a rising 9th grader or the parent of one in Prince George's County? Are you interested in enrolling in Project ENRICH next year? Get your applications now. Contact Brother Roland Byrd via e-mail or by phone at 301-731-9192. Brother Byrd has organized and run Project ENRICH since its return. As always, his pointed and humorous remarks to students were the highlight of the closing ceremony. Below are some video clips from today's program:

Building Community Spirit One House at a Time With Gamma Pi

Today, Gamma Pi chapter arose early and went back to work for the second weekend in a row. We're talking manual labor. Brothers this time grabbed their hammers and nails, their electric trimmers, paint brushes, spackling knives and industrial brooms and converged on a small frame house on Esslog Street for a revitalization project as part of Christmas in April. The chapter has participated in the project for many years.

Backed by brute strength and heart and soul that only Omega men can provide, the chapter refurbished a Capitol Heights Maryland home for an elderly Prince George's County resident. She was all smiles and extremely grateful to the Gamma Pi Brothers for taking their Saturday morning and afternoon to improve her living environment The chapter showed up in force to carry out the project. Nearly all of the work was indoors. Painting, spackling, stripping walls of old paint and sanding were among the key projects. Outside work included trimming and removing underbrush and trees on the property. The home is located on Esslog Street. Brother Anthony Kelly coordinated the effort.

Christmas in April is among a number of Social Action projects the chapter has scheduled for the spring. Last week, Gamma Pi played an integral role in the success of Prince George's County's March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon. In previous weeks, the chapter has visited homeless shelters and has organized activities for underprivileged youth in the community. A seniors banquet is on the horizon along with a golf tournament fundraiser. Gamma Pi's moniker as The Super Chapter is well-earned. Enjoy some video clips from today's project:

Washington Press Captures Mardi Gras 2009

The Washington press recently took notice of Gamma Pi's successful Mardi Gras Extravaganza 2009 . The chapter's fundraiser social event was featured in the Washington Afro, a distinguished and historic newspaper serving the African American community. Edgar Brookins, longtime photographer and an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity member, photographed the event for the Afro. You can visit the Afro online to see what Brother Brookins' roving camera caught on March 20 at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt. The end result was a fancy digital collage. Gamma Pi truly appreciates the communitywide support and participation during its most recent Mardi Gras, which took place this year in the face of a brutal global economy. Proceeds are used to fund the chapter's ambitious Social Action programs as well as college scholarships for deserving Prince George's County students.