Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity 2014 Southern Regional Service Project

Sigma Jacket Project 2014

The origin of the Jacket Project began in 1990 when Bro. Greg Bird while coaching football to Orlando area youth began distributing clothes and shoes to team members. During an unusually few days ofvery cold weather in Orlando he was drivingnear Grand Avenue Elementary andhe noticed that there were several kids walking and shivering with no jackets or coats. In conjunction with the school crossing guard, who knew the majority of the kids going to Grand Avenue Elementary, he began to distribute jackets on his own. The winter of 1994 the Jacket Project became an official service event of the local chapter Gamma Delta Sigma. It has continued for the past 9 years growing each year. Currently, the clothing is distributed thru the Tiger Den at Jones HS, James R. Smith Neighborhood Center and Holden Heights Community Center. Distributions are done on a quarterly basis and now include Winter Jackets, Suits, Dresses, Polo shirts, Jeans, Shoes and Accessories. In 2013 the distribution to date is over $2,000 worth of clothing. Each year the chapter holds clothing drives and solicits donations to provide for this program.

2014 will be the Centennial Celebration of our Fraternity and 10th year of the Jacket Project. The brothers of the Gamma Delta Sigma Alumni Chapter and Iota Rho Collegiate Chapter will host the 2014 Southern Region Service Project on January 10, 2014. This service project will be held to donate jackets to the youth in our community. Over 500 members and guests from Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, The Bahamas and Florida are expected to attend this celebration. We are currently collecting jackets for youth (Elementary to High School/ Male and Female) and asking all brothers to donate towards this worthy cause.

One of our partners on this event is the Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Area troops will be collecting items for donation as well as helping in the distribution. Please join us in making this endeavor a success as we celebrate our 100 years of community service. All In-kind and monetary donations will be utilized entirely for this project. Our Goal is to assist 1,000 children in 2014!

Please contact the Service Project Committee if you have any questions.

Thank you for your consideration,

Vladimir Cherfrere (850-445-0052), ()

Darryl Skinner (770-355-9882), ()

Gamma Delta Sigma Alumni Chapter

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

GDS Foundation 501c3;