A handful of UA student groups held a benefit ball for children who go without toys during the holiday season.
The University’s chapter of the NAACP, the Beta Eta chapter of Omega Psi Phi and the Kappa Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha hosted the 12th annual Toy Ball on Dec. 2.
In addition to collecting toys, the $10 entrance fee went toward the purchase of more toys for the Tuscaloosa One Foundation.
“Part of the money will go towards the expenses for the event, but otherwise we’ll buy more toys with it. No organizations will profit from this event,” said David Daniels, President of Omega Psi Phi, the founding fraternity of the event.
During the ball there was a program hosted by Malcolm Harper, the service event chair of Omega Psi Phi and Reale Snorton, secretary of the NAACP, which highlighted the accomplishments of both the Boys and Girls Club and organizations within the university.
“The event had performances by dancers, the Afro American Gospel Choir and a spoken word artist, as well as toys and awards presented to area children for outstanding performances during the year,” said Brett Saunders, president of the NAACP.
In the effort to reach more children, this year the Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha was added to the group of organizations coordinating the event.
“This year we reformatted the structure of the event by including live entertainment and a tribute to children from the Boys & Girls Club,” Jahmir Jones, Scholarship Chair for Alpha Phi Alpha said. “Each organization sponsored a child from the Boys & Girls Club based on merit supported by Boys & Girls Director, Stephen Miller.”
Three awards were given during the program to children within the Boys & Girls Club who were deemed exemplary.
“These three youth represent all that is right with the youth of today,” Stephen Miller, senior director of the Boys & Girls Club, said. “They are the reason I try to make a difference, one child at a time.”
The main objective of this event was to bring awareness to needs that the community in and around Tuscaloosa has that organizations within the University may be able to remedy.
“First of all, we recognize the kids are coming in and raising awareness about donating and things like that for the student body,” Daniels said. “Try to continue the cycle of social service in the community.”
