OPBSI’s International Summer of Service

NEW YORK, New York… September 1, 2008. Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OPBSI) launched the 2008 International Project: “5-for-5 Campaign: Dominican Republic ‘Clean-Up” as part of their Annual Summer of Service Campaign. OPBSI partnered with a volunteer from the Peace Corps to provide aide and environmental awareness to a small rural town off the coast of Dominican Republic. Since the initiative’s start in June, over $1,400+ has been raised. The campaign ended with an after-work fundraising event, “Dominican Night,” in New York City.

“Dominican Night”, hosted in a small café in the heart of Washington Heights, attracted over 60 attendees. The event was a cultural fusion welcoming guests with Dominican appetizers, exotic refreshments, and music. The fun-filled evening ended with raffle prizes that included DVD movies and the grand prize of two tickets to see a Broadway musical - “In the Heights” by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The Summer of Service serves as an opportunity for members of the organization, primarily undergraduates, to become involved in giving back to their communities during the non-academic year as well. This summer, OPBSI participated in several “Summer Of Service” events including the Washington Height’s Children’s Health Festival (hosted by Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated), the First Annual L.E.S. Week 2008, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and a Clothing and Book Drive for children in Dominican Republic. “Although our Summer of Service has ended, our work is far from finished and we will to continue to strive to serve our communities for as long as we exist”, stated Shaeina Bailey, Director of Community Service.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a NALFO organization member, is a Latina-oriented sorority founded on March 15, 1989, at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Seventeen women of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together to defy the injustices suffered by women, particularly women of color, in the academic, professional and political arenas. The purpose of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership, and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. For further information visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org .

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