CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — On Monday, members of the Epsilon Epsilon Omega and Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and members of the Zeta Xi Lambda and Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. gathered at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank for a day of service.
In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day, members of these organizations spent the morning volunteering and giving back to the community.
"On days like these, people from our organization love to try to help, and provide service in the community," said Salifu Habib, Secretary of the Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Doctor King Jr. was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Standford University found that King joined the Boston Sigma chapter of Alpha in June 1952, as a student at Boston University. During the Civil Rights movement, King spoke at Alpha chapters throughout the country.
"He was very involved in the service in his community," said Tau chapter President Miles Moore. "He was a pastor, he was very involved in his community, as well as, the civil rights movement. We want to make sure we come together and provide some type of service in his name."
Coretta Scott King, Dr. King's wife, was an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Members of the Epsilon Epsilon Omega and Gamma chapter of AKA organized Monday's volunteer work at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. Dr. Desiree McMillion, program chair, told WAND News during the organization's annual MLK Day of Service members volunteered and served the community side-by-side.
On Monday, members engaged with one of their Areas of Focus, 'We Are One'. Dr. McMillion shared, everyone comes together to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King's dream and to honor his legacy.
For members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in the words of Dr. King it is "a day on, not a day off."
There were more than 60 members who showed up to volunteer at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank on Monday. For the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. while the day was about service, it was also about keeping Dr. King's legacy alive.
"We know that Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was an advocate for all. We try to embody that," said Dante Studamire, Recording and Correspondents Secretary for the Zeta Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.
Information about the organization's activities and community service work can be found by following them on Instagram at @tau1917, @zetaxilambda06, @eeomegaaka, and @gammachapterAKA.
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