Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!
Sisters of Serenity Chapter #118 Order of the Eastern Star hit the ground running regarding fundraising and community service projects. An ongoing community service project involves the “Adopt-A-highway”, which involves chapter members picking trash up from International Speedway Boulevard to Mason Avenue along Nova Road, on designated Saturdays at different intervals throughout the year.
Some of the brothers from Boaz lodge #212 also assisted in the effort, which yielded at least a dozen bags of trash picked up along the roadway. The cleanup began sharply at 9:00am and ended at about 11:00am. Some members brought family members along to help out in the effort to keep our community liter free.
A morning filled with service
Before noon, the chapter was off to another community service endeavor as they traveled to The HUM Center, which is run by Halifax Urban Ministries, and is located at 316 North Street in Daytona Beach.
The chapter pulled into the parking lot and passed out nearly 116 zip-lock bags stuffed with toiletries, which included: toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, lotion, bottled water, and even a snack. In addition, the chapter members prepared peanut and butter sandwiches for the less fortunate.
Halifax Urban Ministries regularly sponsors its “Bridge of Hope” program which distributes daily Hot Lunch. The organization has served the Daytona Beach community since 1981 with its 400 active volunteers whom assist with its daily activities.
Serenity Chapter #118 pulled into the parking lot at about 11:30 and began distributing bags to a waiting contingency of homeless people waiting outside for any assistance they could get. That assistance also came in form of peanut and butter and jelly sandwiches prepared by the sisters with love. Yours truly personally jumped into the fray with a boxful of the sustenance.
Worthy Matron Maria McCoy expressed the feeling of performing back-to-back community service. “It was fulfilling to participate in two community service efforts in one morning,” McCoy said.
“The people we gave bags and sandwiches to truly grateful of the compassion shown by the sisters of the order. The clean-up effort followed by the giveaway falls along the lines of what we are members of this order are all about,” she added.
From community service to church service
Chapter members rounded out the weekend with worship service at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church located in Sanford for Prince Hall Day observances. A large contingency from various chapters were present for the service. The contrast of the sisters adorned in all white everything against the brothers of the lodge dressed in black and white is truly a sight to behold.
In an attempt to outdo themselves, the sisters of Serenity Chapter #118 will be in action again this weekend as they host a Saturday Morning Brunch, September 26, beginning at 9:30 until 12 noon at 208 Midway Ave, Ormond Beach. Cost is $8.00 per person or $15.00 per couple. I’ll see you there!
