Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter
Community Service
Clean & Green
Clean and Green
In 2014, the year after the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter’s foundation, the Edward G. Irvin Foundation (EGIF) acquired its facility in the Woodlawn neighborhood, the members began an annual “Clean & Green” Woodlawn neighborhood beautification activity each spring. This annual community event is aimed at sprucing up the EGIF property and the front yards, sidewalks, and streets of the surrounding area. The effort encourages others to take pride in their neighborhood and to perform altruistic acts of kindness for their neighbors.
Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter members volunteer to participate in this improvement endeavor, bringing their yard tools and utensils for this yearly project.
Back to School Block Party
Back to School Block Party
The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter has held an annual Back to School Block Party since 2014. The event is held a few weeks before the school year begins. It is held at the Edward G. Irvin Foundation Achievement Center. The chapter gives away back sacks, filled with various school supplies. BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois has been a proud sponsor that assists in providing the items.
Members of the chapter and various citizens donate their time to give free haircuts, manicures, and dental exams for the children. Other services provided over the past years include: health services (blood pressure and diabetes checks), library services from the Chicago Public Library, the Citizens Utility Board, the Department of Children & Family Services, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the State of Illinois, and more.
Each year, the famous Jesse White Tumblers come and put on a show for the kids and their parents. Free hot dogs, hamburgers, and other refreshments are given away to all patrons.
Welcome Back to School
Welcome Back to School
The men of the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter have been conducting a Welcome Back to School event for elementary school students on their first day of the new school year since 2015. As men who embrace academic achievement, the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter wants the students to be encouraged by men who represent positive images and encourage them to do their best during the school year.
Over the past several years, the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter has performed this act at schools it has partnered with (Emmett Till Math & Science Academy, Dulles School of Excellence, and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Paideia Academy).
Thanksgiving Senior Dinner Delivery
Thanksgiving Senior Dinner Delivery
The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter has partnered with the 4th Ward Alderman’s office and the Most Worshipful Illinois Grand Lodge Prince Hall Masons since 2007 to deliver Thanksgiving meals to senior citizens in the Washington Park, Douglas Park, Kenwood, and Hyde Park communities. This partnership began in 2006, when then-Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter Board of Directors member Michael C. Hughes, Sr., facilitated the chapter’s participation in this altruistic act while serving as a staff member of 4th Ward Alderwoman Toni Preckwinkle.
The 4th Ward supplies the food, while the Masons prepare and package the dinners at their Grand Lodge. The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter members deliver meals to seniors across the various 4th Ward neighborhoods. The sons and daughters of Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter members have consistently performed this annual service for the past 20 years, providing thousands of meals since the program began.
Annual Holiday Toy & Clothing Drive
Annual Holiday Toy & Clothing Drive
The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter has held a Christmas drive every year since 2009 to ensure less fortunate neighborhood children have the experience of receiving a gift during the holiday season. The endeavor began strictly as a toy drive, but was modified to a clothing and toy drive in 2015 to address a larger community concern - providing warm winter attire (coats, socks, gloves, etc.) for local children.
The annual toy and clothing drives have been held in conjunction with a social event that invites members of Kappa Alpha Psi and the general public to attend and contribute. Donations are distributed to local children of the Woodlawn community through a partnership with Parkway Gardens Christian Church. Current annual Holiday Clothing & Toy Drives are held at the Edward G. Irvin Foundation’s Achievement Center.
Food Pantry
Food Pantry
The Woodlawn Community Food Pantry (WCFP) is operated by members of the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter. It was established in 2019 as a regular activity by the chapter’s Senior Kappa Affairs Committee and is supported by the Edward G. Irvin Foundation.
The WCFP is organized for the purpose of providing healthy food choices, nutritional education, and the distribution of information where residents can locate housing, healthcare, and other human service resources. The WCFP concentrates on the distribution of nutritious food options such as fresh produce, healthy proteins (i.e., meats, fish, and poultry), dairy items, and bread, along with low-sodium and low-sugar canned goods. The WCFP helps to fill the gap of wholesome foods in a community that lacks grocery stores and healthy food options.
The WCFP transitioned from a monthly to a weekly produce distribution in 2021, serving an average of 80 families per week. The WCFP has collaborated with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the University of Illinois at Chicago, UI Health, UChicago Medicine, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Chicago Center for Arts & Technology.
The chapter’s Senior Kappa Affairs Committee is assisted each week by fellow chapter members and non-member volunteers to distribute food to needy community members.
Visit us here: https://woodlawncommunityfoodpantry.com/
