Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brings holiday cheer to local kids

Nationwide fraternity gives back not just during Christmas, but all year

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

In a beautiful display of community spirit and holiday generosity, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Graduate Chapter Xi Rho of West Memphis, came together to make Christmas brighter for local families in need. Known for its unwavering commitment to service, the fraternity has been a cornerstone of support in the West Memphis area for decades. This year, however, they went above and beyond, making a powerful impact by responding to a request from the West Memphis Police Department to help students at Bragg Elementary School who feared they might miss out on the joy of the holiday season.

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many families, particularly those who are struggling to make ends meet. This year, School Resource Of_cer (SRO) Ashley Wink_eld was faced with a heart-wrenching dilemma: several students at Bragg Elementary were unsure if they would be able to participate in a holiday shopping trip, unlike their peers at Steudlein Elementary. With a desire to ensure that every child felt included in the festivities, Of_cer Wink_eld reached out for help, and the Omega Psi Phi brothers stepped up.

“Once we heard about the situation, we knew we

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Few things are more rewarding in life than putting a smile on a child’s face, especially during Christmas.

The members of the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi came together for a good cause.

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had to do something,” said Willie Williams, President of the Xi Rho Chapter. “We’ve been serving this community for years, and this is what we do – helping where it’s needed. We reached out to our network, and within 48 hours, we had toys ready for the kids.”

Thanks to the fraternity’s quick action, a donation of toys and gifts was delivered to Bragg Elementary while others were taken to a local store to hear from their parents and the kids themselves what they really wanted for Christmas, ensuring that no child would go without a gift. This marks another chapter in the fraternity’s long history of service during the holiday season, a tradition that dates back well over a decade.

The Xi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi is a non-profit organization supported by the dues and contributions of its members. In addition to the gifts provided for the holiday season, the fraternity runs several year-round initiatives, including providing Thanksgiving baskets, coats for students in need, scholarships for local students, and international essay contests with prizes for top performers. This year, with the support of local organizations like St. Jude, the fraternity was able to bring even more toys to local children.

“Every year we work hard to provide for as many families as we can,” Williams explained. “This year, we served about 50 kids, and our goal is to reach 150. It’s about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of the season, no matter their circumstances.”

For more than 60 years, the Xi Rho Chapter has been committed to uplifting their community. With nearly 100 active local members and 30 thousand nationwide, the fraternity has made a lasting impact, providing scholarships, mentorship, and material support to families throughout the West Memphis area.

The collaboration between the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the West Memphis Police Department, and local schools has proven to be an inspiring example of what can be achieved when organizations come together for the greater good.

“We don’t just give during the holidays,” Williams shared. “We are out here yearround. Whether it’s feeding seniors in nursing homes or helping students achieve their dreams through scholarships, we are committed to this community. Giving back is what keeps us going.”

As the Omega Psi Phi fraternity continues its mission of service, there is hope that this partnership with the local schools and police department will grow, further strengthening the fabric of the West Memphis community. The heartwarming response to Bragg Elementary’s needs is a reminder that when we all come together, we can make a world of difference for those who need it most.

“We’re giving until we can’t give anymore,” Williams concluded. “And that’s how we’ll keep it–giving until we run out of toys or run out of kids.”