"Latino
Greeks Unite Across the Country to provide assistance
to victims of Hurricane Katrina"
National--September
6, 2005
Latino
Greek lettered organizations have united, pledging
both manpower and time to collecting desperately needed
goods to ship to victims of Hurricane Katrina. With
logistical assistance from the International Longshoreman’s
Association (ILA) the united organizations are anticipating
that collected supplies will reach necessary areas
in two weeks in an initiative scheduled to continue
through December.
Leaders
of Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority Inc., Latinas Promoviendo
Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc., Hermandad
de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc., Lambda Theta Phi Latin
Fraternity Inc., and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc.
have pledged the manpower and efforts of their undergraduate
and alumni members. The organizations have mobilized
to setup collection locations across 22 states, concentrating
first on gathering: adult and children diapers, children’s
clothing, children toys and women’s hygiene products.
Once
a container has been filled with goods, they will
be shipped, with assistance from the ILA being organized
by Luis Meurice, a representative of the Association,
to one of three locations in Texas where site captains
from the organizations will be waiting to separate,
package and distribute goods directly to hurricane
victims and relief groups.
"A
society's greatness can only be measured by it's concern
for it's most needy,” said Agustin "Gus"
Garcia National Chair of Lambda Theta Phi, “the
victim's of Katrina are now our most needy. We call
on the future leaders of the largest ethnic group
in America to show that the future leadership of America
can deliver to those who need everything."
With
over 200 chapters across the country collectively,
representatives from these organizations will be working
hard the next couple of days to obtain permission
from campuses to setup collection containers. The
tragedy has sparked an unprecedented unification to
launch this massive effort, putting in the forefront
the youngest of their groups, the collegiate members.
“We are going to set up a reliable chain of support
and network to help [these victims]” said Amanda
Zubiate, Director of Public Relations for Lambda Theta
Alpha, “and our undergraduates will rise up to
the challenge and [provide] the leadership for our
alumni and surrounding activists”
Judy
Pryor, Director of Philanthropy for Lambda Pi Chi,
noted that many chapters had already started collecting
donations and goods to send down to New Orleans. "But
this will formalized their efforts to make more of
an impact,” said Pryor. Not to be outdone by
their younger counterparts alumnus members have also
started getting involved according to Alex Yepes,
Director of Operations for Phi Iota Alpha, “we
already have alumni mobilizing and expect more coming
[in the days ahead].”
While
these five fraternities and sororities have taken
the initial lead, they are confident that more organizations
will join in their efforts. A website has been created,
www.latinogreekunity.org, to provide more information
for those that want to know more about this collection
drive and how they can help.
“It
is inspiring to see the outpour of support for the
people of Louisiana and Mississippi,” said Ivone
De Jesus, Vice President of Affairs for Sigma Iota
Alpha, “[we are] proud to be part of a coast
to coast initiative that will directly aid the victims
of Hurricane Katrina with the resources they are in
desperate need of at this time.”
Helen
D. Torres, Director of Communications
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
917-446-7013
communications@hermandad-sia.org
www.latinogreekunity.org
The
Latino Greek Unity website was donated
by Sofrito For Your Soul Media
