Watts, Ca – It’s the Christmas season all over the world and here at Jordan Downs there was a little more cheer. The kids in there area have been blessed for the last 12 years by members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated with their annual “Toys for Watts”.
Every kid who came to the park at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center was given a wristband and lined up to gain entrance to pick out a some special toys. The Sigmas made it a point to also supply each kid with a book to promote child literacy and encourage the kids. Most of kids were also able to pick out a pair of Crocs shoes or rain boots but most importantly they left with a smile.
The Sigma host chapter for this great event is Theta Alpha Sigma (Carson, Long Beach) who has been a great coordinator and organizer. The Brothers from all over Southern California come to donate their time and donations. Their sister organization Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is always right beside them to lend a hand. We asked (TAS) Chapter president Chris Manigault about how special this event is, “We served well in 2015, feels great to bring joy to the children of Jordan Downs.” Most years like today they have extra toys left over that the LAPD along with Community Parks & Recs take them to other housing projects to extend the love to other toy giveaways.
For one of the Sigmas Brother Monte Fields the director of Big Better Business (TAS) this event always extra special coming back to his old stomping grounds, “Peace & Blessings for the Jordan Downs Projects, where I grew up and now I’m a proud Sigma Man.”
Sigma Beta Club from Morningside High School which is their youth auxiliary group came to lend a hand and show at any age you can make a difference. The Sigma Beta Clubs’ four major principles of focus are on Culture, Athletics, Social and Educational needs. The Sigma Beta Club offers a unique opportunity to develop values, leadership skills and social/cultural awareness in our youth during their developmental years.
Phi Beta Sigma graduate chapter (Los Angeles) came with a large truck again this year filled with toys to show brotherhood and support. The other Sigma chapters serving at the event was Kappa Alpha Sigma, Zeta Tau, Delta Gamma, to name a few.
“The impact on the community that we provide, we can’t quantify how much that one toy can brighten the life of a child who otherwise would go without.” says Brother Jeffrey Sneed (Western Regional Director, of Phi Beta Sigma)
External Links
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
