Sorority serves homeless

A local sorority has dedicated itself to making life better for homeless children in the area.

The Marshall University Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority adopted a room at Hovah Hall Underwood Children's Home in Ona, W.Va.

The room serves as a short-term emergency children's shelter operated by The Children's Home Society of West Virginia.

"We are ever so grateful when wonderful organizations, like the great ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha, donate their time and effort to make our home beautiful for the kids we serve," said Melody Plumley, site manager, in a press release.

Alpha Kappa Alpha adopted a girl's room at the shelter and decorated it in green and pink, the sorority's colors. The sorority has been involved since 2011.

 In April, they hosted the Ivy Academy, a one-day leadership conference for local high school girls, with a community and campus drive and collected approximately 5,000 personal care items for the residents of the home.

"Alpha Kappa Alpha is committed to community service, and we have initiatives we are committed to completing," said Kara Hornbuckle,  senior exercise science major and chapter president of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

 Throughout the year, the sorority provides training sessions in life skills, college life, diversity and regularly hosts a game night for the residents.

The Children's Home Society of West Virginia is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless children throughout the state.      

    The society was founded in 1896 by Reverend D.W. Comstock of Arkansas.

 In 1900, United States Senator Henry Gassaway Davis donated $10,000, which allowed the society to purchase its first children's shelter in Charleston.

The society is currently in charge of nine shelters and helps with adoptions to place children in homes as quickly as possible.  The society also provides behavioral health, advocacy and social services to underprivileged and developmentally disabled children.  

"One of our goals is to make the shelter pleasant and homelike for our children," Plumley said in the release. "Their safety and comfort is key."

Travis Easter can be contacted at easter14@marshall.edu.