Members of Omega Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Houston Community College (HCC) were honored to have participated in The FORT Church’s 1st Annual Back to School Fair and School Supply Drive on Saturday August the 11th, 2007. Fortitude Outreach Ministry, an entity of The Fellowship of Redeeming Truth Church, hosted this community wide event.
The fair and giveaway, which was held at The FORT Church’s fellowship hall and parking lot at 9630 Clarewood Dr. in Houston southwest, was the result of weeks of planning, fundraising, advertising and back to school drives by members of the FORT Church and the surrounding community.
“The children we help are of the lower socioeconomic status,” said Ms. Katrina Spencer, organizer and coordinator of the event for FORT Church. The goal of this event was to provide children in the area free school supplies and fun activities.
 
“This was our first Fair and School Supply Giveaway and I must say it was a success,” Said Katrina. She continued saying, “We had plans to supply sixty students with back to school supplies, however, because the congregation, family, friends and the community responded so well to our drives we were able to supply more than one hundred and fifty students and there are still supplies left.”
More than three hundred members of the local community turned out for a beautiful day of fun, excitement, and fellowship which included food and refreshments, games, prize-giveaways, face painting, and entertainment ranging from a clown act to the art of balloon tying. The Houston Police Department was also on hand to finger print children for parents as part of their Child Safety Program. “We don’t keep these fingerprints” emphasized Officer Bertels of the North-Division, “They are just a record for parents in case their child gets lost or comes up missing. Parents would then have a way to help us identify them,” he said.
Members of HCC’s Omega Sigma chapter brought donations from their own drive held at their monthly Chapter meeting August 10th and assisted with serving food and refreshments, the distribution of school supplies, and entertaining the children. “We thank God for Phi Theta Kappa,” said Katrina, “we don’t know what we would have done without them. We didn’t expect such a large turnout” she added.
“We are so glad to be here and take part in this effort,” said Jessica Zabala, President of the Omega Sigma chapter at HCC. “We’re having so much fun and it really feels good to be giving to and serving those in need. We appreciate the opportunity to support an organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life within our community,” she added as she doled out cold snow cones on that hot summer day.
Vice President of Scholarship Gloria Jadulos got a chance to showcase some of her special talents as she worked skillfully with Boosty the Clown to create different forms of art work from colorful balloons for the children. Surrounded by a pack of excited children she beamed, “the smiles and expressions on the children's faces are worth millions.”
The Omega Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Houston Community College has pledged to work with The FORT Church and other community organizations on a number of upcoming community building projects. If you would like to become a member of Houston Community College’s Omega Sigma Chapter, volunteer your time, or learn more about Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the Two Year College, please visit www.omegasigma.org , www.ptk.org, or email us at info@omegasigma.org.
- Contributing writer Bobby Marshall, Omega Sigma Member |