THE EASTERN PROVINCE YEAR IN REVIEW GALLERY
BMAC Toy Drive: @United Communities Against Poverty
By Bruce Edwards
T he commercialization of tal reason for the season for many in our society. However, the Brothers of the Bowie/Mitchellville (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (BMAC) sought to rightfully restore the joy, hope and focus of the Holiday season in celebration of the spirit of giving. Christmas has certainly erod- ed and tainted the fundamen- On Sunday, December 20, 2020, BMAC was able to successfully partner with United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) to facilitate a Toy Drive to honor and bless those most in need. UCAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Prince George’s County, Maryland dedicated to providing housing, food assistance, transfor- mative education, crisis intervention and case management services to underserved women and children. New and unwrapped gifts were col- lected and donated to brighten the smile and elevate the anticipation of an awaiting child on Christmas day. Spearheaded by Brother Branndon Jackson (Chair of the BMAC Social Action Committee), more than 30 good BMAC Brothers attended and gave significant chari- table donations in support of this remarkable occasion. In preparation for the service outing, Brother Kevin Jackson (BMAC Chaplain/Senior Pastor at Grace Life Fellowship), Brother Brunson Cooper (Manag- ing Director at Corencic Construc- tion Group), Brother Charles Frink (BMAC Reporter) and Brother Kev- in Taylor (former BMAC Polemarch) all gathered the night before for a joyous Walmart shopping spree. Perhaps the most memorable as- pect of the BMAC Toy Drive is that it was both multipurposed and mul-
tigenerational. Not only were hundreds of new gifts donated by BMAC Broth- ers, but more than 20 BMAC Kappa Leaguers also participated by donating their own charitable gift as they were able to use the Toy Drive to meet their scholastic hourly community service re- quirement. Moreover, the BMAC Kappa Leaguers were also further enlightened by many intangible gifts as well. The BMAC Kappa Leaguers got to witness firsthand the warmth of Black men who were both invested in their commu- nity and valued the blessing of having the ability to bless someone else. The experience and exposure were price- less and will prove pivotal in the growth and development of the BMAC Kappa Leaguers. Led by Polemarch Brother David L. Janifer, Sr., BMAC is properly posi- tioned to nurture an ongoing relation- ship with UCAP and other community partners through various social initia- tives dedicated to meeting the needs of the less-fortunate. For it is written, “don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God (Heb. 16:13 NLT).” As always, giving back moves us forward!
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 87
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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