Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Programs: The abz scholarship fundraiser is held on the first saturday of may each year since 2008. It serves as the primary event to support abz's community service scholarships. Each year over 350 ladies (and a few gentlemen, too) gather for a fabulous luncheon and recognition program. During the event, we recognize the accomplishments of a few community unsung heroes, participate in a fabulous parade of hats, and conclude the afternoon with a responsive affirmation saluting mothers, mother-figures, and women of influence. Abz posts the scholarship information and application on their website. Information about scholarship criteria is sent to all area high school guidance counselors. Interested female high school seniors who meet criteria can go to the site and download applications and submit them prior to the march deadline. Scholarship criteria take in consideration references, community service, financial need, and grade point average. Seven to nine scholarship recipients are chosen and each scholarship is for $1000. 00. The event is held at an area location and features a luncheon, presentation of unsung heros, and scholarship recipients. The unsung heros are women who are not affiliated with the chapter but are recognized for the tremendous work they do in the community with underprivileged youth and adults that make a difference in the lives of those they serve. Abz scholarship takes about 6 months to coordinate with solicitation of advertisements, donations, and ticket sales to fund the event. This event is spearheaded by the scholarship chair and her committee.

z-h. O. P. E. Projects (zetas helping other people excel)abz chapter members participate actively in community service initiatives through zeta phi beta sorority, inc. 's signature international service initiative, z-hope. This program is designed to address the needs of women, men, youth, seniors, and international women of color through educational and personal development activities. Coats for families (aka) coats for kids is another community partner that abz has worked with since 2008. This community wide program helps children and families who cannot afford to purchase winter coats stay warm when temperatures drop below 60 degrees. The coats (sometimes brand new) are donated by members of the community. The coats for families coat drive begins in november and runs through january. Sororities pick-up coats 2 to 3 times a week and transport them to designated locations throughout the cities of hampton and newport news. The coats are dropped off at credit unions and dry cleaners and taken to one specific dry cleaner to be cleaned. The sorority picks the coats up from the dry cleaners and takes them to distribution sites; newport news and hampton ymca and the ywca downtown newport news. We look forward to continued support of this and a number of other sorority programs. This project has become an annual event for alpha beta zeta and is spearheaded by our z-hope committee. Ywca school supply closet- this partnership between abz and the ywca is aimed at ensuring that each student from poverty ridden neighborhood have school supplies year around. The ywca is located in downtown newport news. The area's annual median income is $8,000. 00 and 80% of the population receives food stamps and lives in section (8) housing. Many of abz's members have ties to the school system and know how important it is for students to have adequate school supplies. Abz members bring school supply items to monthly chapter meetings. The supplies are collected and delivered to the ywca monthly. This project has become an annual event for alpha beta zeta and is spearheaded by our z-hope committee. Making strides against breast cancer walkabz chapter was selected as a premier chapter, representing zeta in its partnership with the american cancer society. Members participated in the making strides against breast cancer walk beginning in october 2008 and raised money for medical research. The fundraising for this event is the start of our sorority year and culminates in november. Abz sets-up a website so that members could make donations and track their financial progress. Members who do not walk volunteer to man water-stations and hand-out snacks. The money raised goes back into the local community for research. This project has become an annual event for alpha beta zeta and is spearheaded by our z-hope committee.