Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. had a drive-by event Saturday morning highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Service projects took place and materials were passed out to educate others. Providing information for Breast Cancer Awareness was one of many projects on Saturday.
LaShasa Griffin is the president Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Shirley Saddler is the second vice president. Saddler is also president of Jackson State University alumni Clarksdale-Coahoma County chapter.
“We have programs that we conduct in the community each year,” Saddler said. “We have mental health and awareness. We have international awareness, educational development, political awareness and involvement. And today we are hosting Breast Cancer Awareness and we’re passing out pretty pink masks, pins and literature to our drive-by people. And we are also conducting shoe collection for souls for souls. That’s for my international awareness committee.
“We are also packing Christmas shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse. Members are picking up the shoeboxes to send to other countries for Christmas and we are participating in the city’s trunk-or-treat on October the 31st. So the members are dropping off candy for that.”
Red ribbons were also passed out. The red ribbon is a symbol for Multiple Sclerosis, drunk driving prevention, drug prevention and for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“We are all about public service and we’re trying to serve our community in whatever capacities that we could serve to make it a better place,” Saddler said.
Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered in 1973.
“It has really grown because we have partnered with other groups and organizations,” Saddler said. “We participate with the hospital. Ms. Dianne Mitchell was out this morning and Ms. Loreather Stacker was here this morning as a part of our breast cancer awareness month.”
Stacker is the chief nurse executive at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and Mitchell is the director of community/public relations/marketing.
“We participate in our street strut,” Saddler said. “This year, they didn’t have street strut so this is one reason we decided to do it this year.”
Saddler said Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. participates in Relay for Life in April and May.
Events were via Zoom during COVID.
“We didn’t stop doing it, but we did it virtually,” Saddler said.
As soon as COVID restrictions are lifted, Saddler said activities would resume as they once were.
