OPBSI Announces Another Successful Campaign

New York, NY - September 17, 2007 - Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) is proud to announce the completion of yet another successful community service campaign, “S.O.S: Summer of Service”. Within the first month alone, ten percent of the membership participated in the available volunteer opportunities. To accommodate the overwhelming response, the campaign was extended to mid-September 2007. Volunteer opportunities included service to Amnesty International, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), and many other community agencies.

The service even went abroad! Lisa Gil of the Delta Chapter at Binghamton University, State University of New York completed sixty hours of community service while studying abroad in the Dominican Republic. Gil was assigned to a local Domestic Violence Center, where she interacted with victims and provided support. “I heard stories and experiences I never thought were possible. I appreciated my time there and learned a lot. It was such a profound experience”, said Gil. Gil looks forward to continuing her volunteer service for such organizations and assist with the sorority’s national philanthropy, raising awareness of violence against women.

At the conclusion of the campaign, more than half of OPBSI’s active chapters and 25% of the membership participated in some way with S.O.S. "This year’s S.O.S = Satisfaction! Outstanding! Success! I am very pleased with the amount of support our sisterhood has dedicated to the community this past summer! For the first year, I thought it was an excellent turnout. We had states such as New York, California, Chicago, Florida, New Jersey, and even Texas participate in such worthy causes! It was such a success I can't wait to see what is in store for next year! Perhaps we’ll double or quadruple membership participation!”, said Betty Diaz, OPBSI’s Director of Community Serve.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a national, fully accredited Greek-lettered organization founded in 1989 at the University at Albany, State University of New York by seventeen women of diverse cultural backgrounds. While continuously working towards the mission of cultural awareness and community service, the organization also focuses on addressing the needs of the undergraduate and local communities where chapters are located. For further information visit: OmegaPhiBeta.org

Founded in London in 1961, Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement of 1.8 million members. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Amnesty International undertakes research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work overall to promote all human rights. Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the U.S. Section of Amnesty International. For further information visit: AIUSA.org

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is comprised of people dealing with the concerns of battered women and their families. NCADV represents both rural and urban areas. NCADV programs support and involve battered women of all racial, social, religious and economic groups, ages and lifestyles. NCADV opposes the use of violence as a means of control over others and support equality in relationships and the concept of helping women assume power over their own lives. NCADV strive toward becoming independent, community-based groups in which women make major policy and program decisions. For further information visit: NCADV.org.

View other Press Releases