Service Projects
Alpha Iota sponsored a table at the Ferst Readers spring luncheon event on May 10, 2023. The organization provides books to children from birth to age five. Anita created a beautiful and very creative design based on the book "Long Live the Pumpkin Queen."
Leaders in our community were asked to serve as anonymous pen pals for sixth grade students in Miss Washington and Mr. Smalls English Language Arts classes. They exchanged letters about once a month during the 2021-2022 school year. The adult volunteers included Clayton County School Board Members, Clayton County Public Librarians, staff at Jonesboro First Baptist Church, members of Gamma Alpha, government officials, retired educators and members of our own chapter. Through the project, students learned the form for a friendly letter, the importance of proof-reading, writing skills and social skills.
On Wednesday, May 18 the identity of the pen pals were revealed! At the party, students and their pen pals were given identical animal flash cards and located their new friend by matching the cards. They enjoyed finally meeting in person and opening their gifts. Thank you to all the Alpha Iota members who served as pen pals, donated breakfast items, stood in for pen pals who could not attend the party, and helped with setup and cleanup.
On Wednesday, May 18 the identity of the pen pals were revealed! At the party, students and their pen pals were given identical animal flash cards and located their new friend by matching the cards. They enjoyed finally meeting in person and opening their gifts. Thank you to all the Alpha Iota members who served as pen pals, donated breakfast items, stood in for pen pals who could not attend the party, and helped with setup and cleanup.
With ticket sales from the Power of Sisterhood Luncheon, donations and the silent auction on April 30, 2022 we raised over $700.00 to sponsor children at the Spivey Hall Summer Music Camp at Clayton State University. Members voted to use additional funds from the Rickie Clark grant to sponsor a total of six children. Pictured is Mary Miller, the Education Assistant at Spivey Hall, receiving a check for $1,110.00 from President Cheryl Goff and Treasurer Tonia Lindsey.
Thank you note from Clayton State University Foundation
Program and Thank you notes from the students
Thank you note from Clayton State University Foundation
Program and Thank you notes from the students
Alpha Iota hosted a table at the Ferst Reader's Luncheon on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Our "The Library Dragon" themed table was a hit!
Thank you to Cindy Thompson, who created the design with the assistance of Cheryl Goff, Vance Wallace, Bonnie Strohm and Anita Thomaston. Our special guests included Mr. Sonny Strohm and Mr. Randall Thompson.
Thank you note from Ferst Readers
Our "The Library Dragon" themed table was a hit!
Thank you to Cindy Thompson, who created the design with the assistance of Cheryl Goff, Vance Wallace, Bonnie Strohm and Anita Thomaston. Our special guests included Mr. Sonny Strohm and Mr. Randall Thompson.
Thank you note from Ferst Readers
Members donated school supplies to Nothing But The Truth at the February 25, 2022 chapter meeting.
Members collected materials and packed boxes for Samaritan's Purse at the November 6, 2021 chapter meeting. Martha Tolcher and Kathy Acree organized the project for the chapter.
The Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International is a professional honorary Society of women educators. The Alpha Iota...
Posted by Ferst Readers of Henry County on Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Jonesboro High School
Mock Trial Team Alpha Iota supported the Jonesboro High School Mock Trial team with a donation to help with expenses to the Championships in Athens. May 2019 |
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Ferst Readers Spring Luncheon
Anita, Bonnie, and Cindy outdid themselves on our Olivia themed table at the Ferst Readers Spring Luncheon held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
Anita, Bonnie, and Cindy outdid themselves on our Olivia themed table at the Ferst Readers Spring Luncheon held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
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Calvary Refuge Center
At our February 2019 chapter meeting, we collected items for Calvary Refuge Center. President, Cheryl Goff pictured with Kayla, from the Center, delivered shampoo, cleaning supplies, sandwich bags, and toilet paper. |
Tarwana Tarno, Executive Director of the Calvary Refuge Center was thrilled with our donation of over 30 purses, toiletry items, books, and chocolate. The purses were collected and packed at our October sixth chapter meeting and delivered by Secretary Anita Thomaston.
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Alpha Iota spread Christmas cheer all over the state of Georgia as well as into thepan handle of Florida! December’s service projects were to assist with Clark’s Kids and to provide Christmas gifts to children in the Mexico Beach, Florida area. Clark’s Kids is the Christmas project begun by WSB’s own Clark Howard over30 years ago. Working with the Georgia Department of Children and Family Services, his goal is to provide Christmas presents to every foster child in the state of Georgia. Our sisters voted to donate $100 to this worthy event. While we will never actually see the recipients’ joy when opening Christmas gifts, our hearts know.
The second opportunity to spread cheer was a grassroots event. Hurricane Michael devastated the coastal community Mexico Beach, leaving a multitude of people without housing and the necessities of life. As a result of the damage done, for many families the realization that money for Christmas gifts would be nonexistent. Through a friend, Cindy Thompson was able to connect with Lean Keith who has ties to the Mexico Beach community. Leah was instrumental in spreading the word in the Fayette, Clayton and Henry County areas. Social media is many things, but in this instance, it was a God send. Alpha Iota voted to assist this worthy cause by donating $200 in books for the children of the area. Thousands of people across the southeast donated toys, games, books and bicycles resulting in a gymnasium loaded with Christmas cheer. As soon as the children of Mexico Beach were provided gifts, the group opened the event to other surrounding areas. Any books remaining were donated to the public library. 2018
The second opportunity to spread cheer was a grassroots event. Hurricane Michael devastated the coastal community Mexico Beach, leaving a multitude of people without housing and the necessities of life. As a result of the damage done, for many families the realization that money for Christmas gifts would be nonexistent. Through a friend, Cindy Thompson was able to connect with Lean Keith who has ties to the Mexico Beach community. Leah was instrumental in spreading the word in the Fayette, Clayton and Henry County areas. Social media is many things, but in this instance, it was a God send. Alpha Iota voted to assist this worthy cause by donating $200 in books for the children of the area. Thousands of people across the southeast donated toys, games, books and bicycles resulting in a gymnasium loaded with Christmas cheer. As soon as the children of Mexico Beach were provided gifts, the group opened the event to other surrounding areas. Any books remaining were donated to the public library. 2018
Alpha Iota coordinated a pen pal project with a sixth grade class of students at Kendrick Middle School. Chapter members, retired educators, and Jonesboro city officials exchanged letters with students throughout the school year. On May 15, 2018 the students met their pen pals at a reveal luncheon.
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Alpha Iota sponsored a table at the Ferst Foundation Spring Luncheon. Anita, Cindy, Bonnie and Janice decorated our "Pete the Cat" themed table. Our table was featured in the Henry Herald! (March 2018)
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Students from winning teams in the Clayton County reading bowl competitions were honored at the Celebration of Champions on Thursday, April 12, 2018. Each team and student was introduced and Kaziah Adade, a 2nd grade student at Northcutt Elementary, won a Barnes and Noble gift card. Book illustrator and retired CCPS educator Randolyn Friedlander was the featured guest speaker. Students and their parents also enjoyed refreshments.
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Leslie Pratschler and Carol Bentley volunteered at the CCPS Picture Book Reading Bowl on November 4, 2017. Cindy Thompson volunteered at the CCPS Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl on January 27, 2018. Cheryl Goff coached a team and hosted the event at her school. Cheryl also volunteered at the regional competition, at Clayton State University, on February 10th.
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2016-2017
Community Service Purses with a Purpose – Teams of members would fill a purse with essentials for a woman who has found safety in a shelter. Clothing Drive – Donations to the Zaban Couples Center and Haven House Thrift Store. Children Schools for Liberia – Continue our support. Nothing But the Truth - Donation of food for children to take home on the weekend. Literacy Books for Classroom Libraries – Each member would bring at least one children's book to each chapter meeting to be donated to an elementary school classroom. Free Libraries – Set up crates with books in laundromats or doctor's offices Letter Writing – Support literacy curriculum through a pen pal program. Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl - members volunteered at the first CCPS Picture Book Reading Bowl. |
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Alpha Iota members partnered with Ms. Knight's first period class at Kendrick Middle School. Members wrote letters to students and they met at a reveal party on May 15, 2017. Each student had an animal flash card and found the matching card to learn the identity of their new friend. The students and their pen pals enjoyed getting to know each other even better and refreshments of hot tea, juice and breakfast snacks. Each child received a small gift from their pen pal.
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Magnolia House Fundraiser
January 17, 2017 A luncheon and Premier Jewelry fundraiser were held at the Magnolia House in Jonesboro. Funds will be used to honor students who win the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl competition in Clayton and Henry Counties. Read the thank you note from Caroline Soto. Read the donation note from Trish Vlasik. |
Members donated suits, dresses and casual clothing for for the women of the Zaban Couples Center. The mission of the Center is to assist couples transitioning from homelessness to resettlement and independence by providing shelter, basic necessities and counseling services. When Debbie Bhanojirow delivered the clothing they were so appreciative, as women had interviews the next day and were in need of clothing. (February 2016)
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We donated school supplies, batteries, hand sanitizer, paper products & bread to Rainbow House, Inc. a shelter for abused and neglected children. October & December 2014
Read the thank you letter from October. Read the thank you letter from December. |
Collecting supplies for an elementary school in Moore, Oklahoma, which was damaged by storms.
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Collecting Suitcases & Backpacks for children served by Clayton County Foster Care |
Children in Ghana with some of the books
and materials we sent to them. View the letter from the Yonkofa Project |
Collecting Toiletry Items for the Securus House, a women's shelter
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We currently sponsor children in Liberia, to assist with their education. Pictured is the student body during devotion time, before classes.
1st & 2nd Grade Classroom
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Three of the children we sponsored, Miatta Sonkaley, 11 years old, 3rd grade; Eli Sackie, 11 years old, 2nd grade; Simeon Yarkpawolo, 11 years old, k-2.
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Three of the children we sponsored, Helena Floma, 8 years old, k-2; Thomas Cammue, 10 years old, Nursery; Danuwele Cammue, 9 years old, k-1.
Kindergarten-II Classroom
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