Kappa Journal Spring Issue (Spring 2017)

KAPPA NEWS

New Orleans Area Chapters Unite to Coordinate Tornado Relief Efforts

By Harold Clark, Jr.

relief was a no brainer”, said Terrence A. Hamilton (Kenner (LA) Alumni 2015) Chief Operating Officer and Director of Field Services at Boy Scouts of America Southeast Louisiana Council. This isn’t the first time the local chap- ters have joined to leverage resources and coordinate efforts. In the aftermath of last year’s floods that impacted resi- dents in the greater Baton Rouge area, members loaded up in vehicles to help gut homes, serve hot meals, and donate clothing. “As One Kappa, we achieve a lot of good by crossing our geographic boundaries to help our neighbors who have suffered and lost so much. And our response in these times of disas- ter, truly reminds us of our purpose, and it really strengthens our fraternal bond,” said Alonzo Knox (Gretna (LA) Alumni 2008), Polemarch of Gretna (LA) Alumni Chapter, and a native of Baton Rouge. “Those of us who went through hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav know firsthand the devastating mental impact and financial hardships in the aftermath of floods and I couldn’t be more proud of our members response to helping our neighbors.” Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is dedicated to “inspire service in the public interest” and has an international initiative, called iKARE, to aid its mem- bers and others in various communities who are impacted by natural disasters.

Kappa League Troop 1911 of the Boy Scouts participated with various chapters in the New Orleans area to provide relief to residents impacted by the tornadic devastation in the area.

F ollowing the aftermath of a tor- nado that struck Eastern New Orleans, Louisiana on Tuesday, February 7 th , the Kenner Metro- politan (LA) Alumni Chapter, New Or- leans (LA) Alumni Chapter, Gretna (LA) Alumni Chapter, and Beta Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at Xavier University united to coordinate relief efforts to those resi- dents impacted by the devastation. “I’m thankful to brothers who do- nated their time and energy to donate water for folks who were impacted by the tornado. I’m happy to report, while it’s a small thing, we collected 250 cases of water to deliver between City Church and the Winn Dixie on Chef Menteur Boulevard [recovery drop-off locations]”, said Gervy G. Papion (Theta Nu 1980), a member of the Kenner Metropolitan (LA) Alumni Chapter.

The members’ donations added to recovery efforts that specifically lever- aged City Church’s delivery of more than 350 hot meals to affected resi- dents. Additionally, the Kappa Chapters coordinated with New Orleans City Councilman James Gray’s office to stock the main recovery drop-off and distribu- tor location. The Kappa League Troop 1911 Boy Scouts was also involved in the relief efforts. The Troop is named after the Fraternity’s national service and mentoring initiative, Kappa Leadership Development League (Kappa League) and 1911, the year that the Fraternity was founded. “The Boy Scouts’ slogan is Do a Good Turn Daily. This means to do something big for someone/others without expect- ing anything in return. So we push the boys and families of KL T1911 to do this in their daily lives. Helping with tornado

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