Photo above: Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority gave bicycles and helmets to 44 students at the fourth annual Bike-Give-Away. Photo provided.
Decked out in sorority apparel and wearing smiles of the season, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority gathered at Beaufort Middle School to present bicycles and helmets to students enrolled in the 11 elementary schools in the chapter’s service area.
At this, the fourth annual Bike-Give-Away, 44 bicycles were presented to two boys and two girls from Beaufort, Broad River, Coosa, Joseph S. Shanklin, Lady’s Island, Mossy Oaks, Port Royal, St. Helena and Whale Branch elementary schools and Robert Smalls International Academy.
Each school’s social worker selected which students received bikes.
About 34 of the 44 showed up with their parents, guardians and siblings to try out their shiny new gifts.
“This year we were pleased to have increased our efforts 100 percent,” said sorority president Viola Smalls. “Year to date, we have donated over 100 bicyles and helmets.”
The Annual Bike-Give-Away, the brain child of chapter vice president Dr. Monica Dawson, is only one of the sorority’s community service activities.
The Beaufort Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was chartered in 1976 by members from Beaufort and Jasper counties. Since its chartering the chapter has provided scholarships and sponsored programs and projects which promote educational, personal, political and social awareness.