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At a ceremony in Atlanta last week-end, members of The Links, Incorporated welcomed a new Chapter into their organization. The newly established Camellia Rose Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia is the 271st to join with The Links, Incorporated and embrace its mission of friendship and service.
“This new Chapter is a sign of strength for The Links, Incorporated and demonstrates that our chain of friendship, and dedicated, purposeful service is not waning. On the contrary, we are needed more than ever and rising in greater numbers to meet the challenges placed before us,” stated Dr. Gwendolyn Lee, National President of The Links, Incorporated. “We could not be more proud to welcome the Camellia Rose Chapter to our organization.”
Members of The Links, Incorporated contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually to strengthen their communities and enhance the nation. Furthermore, The Links Foundation has contributed more than $24 million dollars to charitable causes since its founding. With a new Chapter, these numbers are certain to increase.
While the Camellia Rose Chapter is young in age, members already have a distinguished track record of community service. Links of the Camellia Rose Chapter have assisted young people, seniors and those in between, through a variety of projects and initiatives.
Members have engaged seniors in activities that would enhance their dignity and quality of life, support their independence, encourage and increase their social skills.
Another project, “Right for Me: Providing Tools for Healthy Living,” was conceived as an Umbrella Program for the Chapter. Four modules (Eat Something, Say Something, Do Something, and Share Something) were implemented as part of the program. “Right for Me” was created to meet the needs of 8 – 10 year old children enrolled in the after school program at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA. The curriculum incorporated the USDA My Pyramid concepts, a fitness program, and positive activities to build self-esteem such as journaling, writing letters to President Barack Obama and the creation of vision boards. Camellia Rose Chapter members also secured support from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), a nutritionist, and sought expert advice and guidance from The Department of Pediatrics at The Morehouse School of Medicine, to ensure a program that represented best practices and quality.
Chapter officers include:
Trojanell B. Wilson, President
Sarita Cathcart-McLarin, Vice President
Cristale Brown Patterson, Recording Secretary
Elaine Carlisle, Treasurer
"As the 271st National Chapter and 6th Atlanta Chapter, the Camellia Rose Chapter is honored to become a part of the premier women’s organization of The Links, Incorporated. We stand ready to demonstrate our commitment to friendship and service,” stated Chapter President Trojanell B. Wilson.
The Links, Incorporated (linksinc.org) is an international, women's non-profit, social welfare and service organization of over 12,000 members in 271 chapters across the United States, and the Bahamas. It was founded in 1946. From its inception, the organization's members have been developing and implementing programs that target issues affecting its members and communities. Community service has been the corner stone of the organization's outreach with members contributing more than two million documented hours of community service over the past three years. For the past 60 years, The Links, Incorporated has been internationally known for its programs that are focused on topics such as health, economics and education, youth, and policy efforts.
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