Delta Pi Theta Share Thanksgiving With Others

MARSHALL, Texas (11/16/12)- As East Texas Baptist University students prepared to go home for the Thanksgiving break one student group took the time minister to others. Members of Delta Pi Theta distributed laundry baskets containing the items essential for a complete Thanksgiving meal to 12 local families in need.

"This has always been a service opportunity that we have taken part in since the first year Delta was founded at ETBU,” said chapter president Kasey McLendon, a senior from Livingston. Members distributed the baskets of goodies in Marshall on Thursday evening.

Melissa Haynes, Delta Pi Theta alumna and Community Relations and Marketing Manager Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall shared, "Turkey Day was established in 2002 as an outreach to the local community. It is safe to say that more than 100 baskets have been distributed since the ministry began.”

The turkeys in each basket were purchased with funds raised by Delta Pi Theta alumni from across the state, and even as far away as Wisconsin. Delta Pi Theta is a women’s sorority with the purpose of sharing God’s name and love through serving others on the ETBU campus and in the community.

"After we delivered the baskets today it was so humbling,” said McLendon. "The people we delivered to were shocked and in disbelief that we would give them this free gift. I was reminded of the free gift we receive from Jesus Christ.”

ETBU students who delivered the baskets before heading home for the Thanksgiving Holiday break were Blake Cherry, Jessica Harrison, Jordan Upchurch, McLendon, Kellie Thompson, Kristopher Picarrella, Madison Kauffman, and Mia Moore.

The ETBU chapter of Delta Pi Theta has an ongoing ministry of helping at Marshall Manor once a month as well as every two weeks takes the trash out for the women residential halls on campus. A Spring Break Mission Trip is in the planning stages.