Christmas time brings Christmas cheer, but for some families the holidays bring the stress of providing. One Phoenix sorority lessened that burden this holiday season by using their holiday spirit to give back. For a third consecutive year, the sisters of the Omega Iota Phoenix Alumnae Chapter of Omega Phi Alpha adopted two families. With a U-Haul moving truck full of presents, the sisters of the National Community Service Sorority acted as Santa Claus for the deserving families and filled their Christmas trees and hearts with gifts of joy.
Each year the alumnae sorority sisters adopt a family in need from the Greenway neighborhood in Phoenix. As the most densely populated area in Phoenix, the need for help is high and serving the people of Greenway was a no-brainer for the National Community Service Sorority. This year they adopted a family who lost their father who left behind a wife and three children. The Christmas cheer did not stop with one family. The sorority sisters adopted a second family from a nonprofit organization that helps families who have children with intellectual or physical disabilities. The second family was a single mother with three children– 2 of the children having cognitive intellectual disabilities.
Santa’s modern day sleigh, donated by U-Haul, hauled plenty of wrapped presents for everyone in both families. The children were so happy to receive presents that they even helped bring in presents from the truck. Each family member receives an outfit, pair of shoes, and various gifts including toys, toiletries, furniture, and more. The items are contributed by the alumnae sorority sisters who elect to give what they can. After donations, they have a Christmas card making and wrapping party to give the donations a merry, festive touch.
The deserving families are very grateful to receive a helping hand during the holidays. One mother who shared one small bed with her three children received beds for them and a sofa. Esther Blue said, “This project has been a huge blessing to our alumnae sorority sisters… One of the most moving things is seeing how happy and thankful the families are each year to receive presents most of which are basic necessities.”
Have you gave back this holiday season? Tell us in the comments below!
