Gamma Pi Brings "Scholarship"to Life: Donates Supplies to Local Elementary School Headed by Chapter Brother

By Brother Rodney Beverly

Brother Principal Damien Goins (center) with
Gamma Pi members outside the Super Chapter Fraternity Center

On Thursday, August 16, 2012, the Brothers of the Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. did what they do best – they responded to the call for assistance in the community.  This time, the call to action involved Scholarship and was in response to chapter Brother Damien Goins who begins his first year as the newly appointed Principal at Gaywood Elementary School in Seabrook, Maryland. Brother Goins requested help in getting supplies for his students who largely come from economically challenged backgrounds.

Gamma Pi responded in Super Chapter fashion as Brothers came together and collected a truckload of school supplies for Gaywood Elementary students. Brother Goins was overwhelmed by the response and Brothers helped him get his career as a school principal off to a good start while also helping young students get the school year off to a promising start. It was a salute to Scholarship all the way around – the Omega way.

Brother Goins (right) with Brother Troy Scott (left)
and Brother William "Bo" Ellis

Thanks to a caravan of Brothers who stopped by the Super Chapter Fraternity Center in Forestville to donate supplies on that date, Gamma Pi was able to amass more than 30 backpacks, thousands of pencils and pens, rulers, erasers, notebook paper, folders, notebooks, even physical fitness equipment and other needed items for Gaywood’s students. Approximately 90% of the students are on free or reduced lunch plans.

“First of all, we are very proud of Damien in his new role as principal, but I am also very proud of how Gamma Pi responded to this effort. This was truly Scholarship in action,” said Basileus Brother Gordon Everett, Sr. “This is exactly what the Founders intended when it comes to both Uplift and Scholarship.”

Gamma Pi Uses Que Kidz Daze to Demonstrate Motorcycle and Bike Safety

Bro. Norwood and Anointed Horsemen Motorcycle Ministry

On Saturday morning, July 21, the raindrops were falling hard in the metro area as a week of off-and-on storms were cooling down recent extreme heat. In the spirit of true Omega men, the Brothers of Gamma Pi chapter effortlessly turned to "Plan B" when a steady downpour put a damper on a live demonstration of motorcycle and bicycle safety rules using real motorcycles. The bikes would have been driven to the Kentland Community Center where the Que Kidz Daze meets.

"Plan B" was an indoor interactive safety lecture that turned out to be just as much fun to the more than 30 young boys and girls gathered for the July session of Que Kidz Daze. Only one motorcycle (instead of several) was brought to the premises due to the weather, but the kids still had big fun as they always do on Que Kidz Saturdays. Brother Orlando McDowell leads Que Kidz Daz which provides monthly enrichment activities for underprivileged youth in the Kentland area on Saturday mornings.

Youth tries on a motorcycle helmet

Brother Don Norwood, a motorcycle enthusiast and president of the Ebenezer AME Church's Anointed Horsemen Motorcycle Ministry (Fort Washington, MD.), led the presentation. "Show me a left hand turned, everybody...Now how do you signal a right-hand turn,?" Brother Norwood said during his talk, as the kids extended their arms all the way out to signal the left hand turn, but some of them missed the ":trick"of the right hand signal by extending their arms all the way to the right rather than the "L"-shaped signal with the left hand to indicate right turns.

Brother Green's souped-up Harley

The Brothers used motorcycle safety laws as a context to discuss bike safety laws with the youth. For example, other topics included what side of thee road to ride on, what age to be on the sidewalk instead of in traffic, how to properly wear protective gear like a helmet and padding, the ABC's of safety checklist and traffic laws.

Brother Clint Green, who is not a member of the Anointed Horsemen,  was the only one to brave the elements and maneuver his bike to the event (see photo). And just as soon as it appeared the rain had stopped, as the kids prepared to head outside to examine Brother Green's bike as part of the safety lecture, the downpour returned and the Que Kidz Daze contingent remained inside. Read more about Que Kidz Daze on Gamma Pi's web site. Below are some video clips from Saturday:

Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities Partner to Bring American Literature to Papua New Guinean Youth

Demonstrating the global reach of Omega’s commitment to uplifting mankind, Gamma Pi chapter and Friendship Charities Foundation recently partnered to provide Papua New Guinean youth access to American literature with a generous donation of books.

Brother U.S. Ambassador Teddy B. Taylor made the donation on behalf of both organizations to a Papua New Guinea group named the “Voice”.  The Voice is a local non-profit dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged Papua New Guinean youth and is headed by a dynamic young lawyer named Serena Sasingian who left a successful legal practice to begin a crusade to provide the youth of Papua New Guinea with a voice to make a difference in their society.

The Voice’s major program entitled “The Dream” uses a combination of academic, Christian teachings, social service projects and inspirational lectures to prepare young people to become productive, responsible citizens.  Brother Ambassador Taylor became involved with the Voice early in his tenure, routinely speaking to gatherings about the African American experience and sharing life lessons, which can be used in any culture.  The embassy additionally provided the Voice with a twenty thousand dollar grant to specifically establish a mentoring program to better equip high school girls to compete in this male dominated society. 

Originally a program to help better prepare university students for the rigors of citizenship, the Voice is quickly gaining national prominence and recognition for providing Papua New Guinean youth alternatives by which to live fulfilling lives. 

A black democratic nation, of incredible natural beauty and mineral resource wealth, most citizens’ knowledge of The Untied States, and in particular African -Americans is confined to international media coverage, or to the elder generations experience with African American troops stationed in Papua New Guinea during WWII.

Despite the limited coverage, all genres of black music are enjoyed and the hip-hop style of dress is popular.   The generous donation of books will continue to contribute to the positive image of the United States and provide the youth associated with the “Voice” a deeper understanding of the African American experience, which is similar in some ways to their experience as an Australian settlers colony. 

   

Final Appeals for Brothers to Support Ride for Domestic Violence this Weekend

This weekend, hundreds of motorcycle riders will "hit the road" in Prince George's County to bring awareness to a sometimes overlooked cause where so many women -- sometimes in the shadows of anonymity -- are themselves forced to "hit the road" mercilessly after they have been beaten. It is called domestic violence,and it is a huge national problem that plays itself out in the metro area every day.

To help the women in Prince George's County who find themselves in these situations, often needing shelter to "take cover," Gamma Pi is joining with other local organizations and the sponsoring Washington Redskins to help conduct and participate in the Fifth Annual Ride to Survive to Eliminate Domestic Violence. The event benefits the Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County.

Numerous Gamma Pi Brothers who are avid bikers are expected to join in the ride as a symbolic way to turn their hobby into a good cause for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc,.and for the women in the community who need such services.
"We are making a final appeal to the Brothers who can, to come out this Saturday and support this annual fundraiser event,"said Brother Charles Mays, who is Domestic Violence chair for Gamma Pi. "Volunteer support is needed to assist with setting up the tables and chairs for the registration areas and the feeding areas following the ride."

Volunteers for the setup should report at around 8:30 am. Registration will begin at 9:00 am and the ride is scheduled to start at around 11:00 am. Brothers who want to participate in just the ride portion are welcome and the ride starts at Fed Ex Field, gates E, #3 and #4. The ride is co-sponsored by Cruzerz Unlimited, American Legion Riders, Post 275 and the East Coast Busas motorcycle clubs. Registration is $25 per bike.

Brother Mays is encouraging the chapter  to come out and support this worthwhile cause to fund the activities of the Family Crisis Center as they provide support to the victims of domestic violence here in Prince George's County. Call him if questions at 240-899-0715.


Download Pledge and Registration Forms Here!