Berkeley Even though it was about 100 degrees outside, a group of people continued to collect veggies for the less fortunate.
Members of the Jersey Shore-based organizations Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (Iota Chi Sigma Chapter) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (Alpha Alpha Chi Zeta Chapter), which serve Monmouth and Ocean Counties, as well as Pastor David Graham and Reverend Thomas Jacobs Sr. were among the volunteers.
Jacobs, Graham (both 2025 Father of the Year Honorees of the Iota Chi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.), and Robert Taylor (founder of Unity Pride and a fraternity member) arranged the collaborative community service event.
For our fraternity and our sisters (Zetas), this was a really wonderful experience. Chris Melvin Sr., the chapter’s Sigma-Zeta Liaison, stated that it was a pleasure and a blessing for all of us to come out and participate in harvesting with Sadie Vickers and Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. We thrive on helping and boosting communities whenever we get the chance.
Despite the obvious heat, nobody voiced any complaints. As he continued, “We were on a mission, and we got through it and finished the job as planned.”
For many of the fraternity and sorority members there, it was their first time gardening, but Melvin claimed that his late mother taught him how to do it growing up.
We welcome any opportunity to collaborate with the church. It doesn’t get any better than this, he remarked, adding that participating in community service projects with our Zeta sisters is always a blessing because it unites us all in serving the community.
Last year, the Sadie Vickers Community Garden was established to provide food for the people living in Manitou Park. From April through August, 85 volunteers worked the property. The Holy Temple Church of God in Christ located across the street from the garden on First Avenue.
The church’s Reverend David Graham remarked, “We are grateful to the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma for organizing this with us. The food grown here has been a blessing to so many in need.”
Next door, at the Sadie Vickers Community Resource Center, Graham is also the chief executive officer. It serves as a link between Manitou Park and resources that people might not otherwise be able to access. Public transit is nonexistent, and some people do not own cars.
It’s easier to get to the Center on First Avenue in Manitou. Organizations can send a representative to an underserved area to have their feet on the ground through a calendar of events.
Sadie Vickers, who passed away, belonged to the church. She was known for inviting visitors in and saying, “Let me fix you something to eat,” according to Reverend Graham, who spoke at a ceremony commemorating First Avenue after her.
Additional information on them is available at [email protected], 1-848-226-3930, and atsadievickers.org.
A fundraiser
Manitou Park is a vibrant neighborhood with Unity Pride, a robust summer program that involves local youngsters. The Bayville Elks Lodge, located at 247 Route 9, Bayville, will host the annual Unity Pride party fundraiser on July 11. 6 p.m. is when doors open. The evening is expected to be filled with delicious food, fantastic music, and wonderful companionship.
The cost of admission is $30 per person. There will be a modest gift auction. Please buy tickets through Eventbrite or give 732-644-3445 a call.
