“Still standing” luncheon: A SUCCESS
On Saturday, October 20, 2012, the Ebenezer Empowerment Center (Ebenezer Baptist Church) was beautifully decorated in pink and white. The occasion was the 2nd annual luncheon sponsored by Alpha Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. This special luncheon was held to honor those individuals who are “still standing” during and/or after their bout with cancer and to remember those who lost their battle with this dreaded disease. Both males and females attended the affair.
Net proceeds ($ 1, 000.00) from the luncheon were presented to Ms. Stephanie Bloodworth, a representative from the Zimmer Cancer Center of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Ms. Rachel Vaughan, coordinator for the New Hanover County’s organization called “Circles of Care” was the speaker for the occasion. Ms. Vaughan is an experienced, retired educator who taught in the New York City and New Hanover County Public School Systems. She shared with the audience information regarding her personal bout with cancer through the years and described just how she became a coordinator of “Circles of Care”. This program is an extension of “Project Compassion”; a non-profit organization based in Chapel Hill, NC that provides innovative volunteer support teams for people living with serious illnesses. These teams provide care giving, end of life, and grief services. To date, a total of seventy-five community members have received the required training to serve as volunteers.
Alpha Psi Omega Chapter member, Dorothy DeShields, acquainted the luncheon attendees with the sponsorship of this special luncheon while Chapter member Natalie Hinton-Stalling introduced the speaker. Mrs. Lynore Young and Dr. Bettie J. Glenn gave the invocation and presented a gift of appreciation, respectively.
Chapter member Bertha Boykin Todd requested audience participation from those who wished to speak of their experience with cancer and/or paid a tribute to those who succumbed to cancer. Although this part of the luncheon was a bit somber, chapter members Rita D. Todd and Natalie Hinton-Stalling lightened up the mood by awarding door prizes to lucky ticket holders.
The Alpha Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated expresses its gratitude to all guests and community members who attended this annual event. Dr. Rachel N. Stephens is the current president of the chapter. Chapter members Dorothy DeShields and Natalie Hinton-Stalling served as co-chairs for the 2nd annual “Still Standing” Luncheon.
