By Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN — For over six months, under the sponsorship of Nu Zeta. the graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc; the Knoxville Zeta Amicae Auxiliary has been quietly collecting cases of diapers and wipes. The ladies of Amicae, which means friends, were on a mission to help young parents with some of the expenses that come with babies. Their efforts were highly successful after an overwhelming response from the community resulted in $3000.00 in diapers sizes newborn to six, changing pads, and wipes being collected. Loading up a truck and five cars, the sisterhood then turned the diapers over the organization known throughout the city for helping others.
In keeping with their mission of getting everything into the hands of the community as soon as received, Vivian Shipe, Founder and Director of I AM The Voice of the Voiceless humbly received the diapers and promptly delivered and arranged pick up for all diapers to be placed into the hands of the trusted messengers and gate keepers in the Hispanic community, new moms programs throughout the city, several churches who made the announcement from their pulpits, and several community mothers who called for help.
All diapers were distributed into the hands of those in need within 72 hours of receipt.
This is not a new undertaking for the Zeta organization. The first Zeta Amicae Auxiliary was founded in 1948 . The sorority realized over 60 years ago the value of building relationships and partnering with community women who were not members of any Greek-letter organization. The Knoxville Chapter under the direction of President Carolyn Tabors, conduct monthly service projects. Over the last few years, Knox Zeta Amicae has donated to Mobile Meals for the Elderly, Holston Rehab Center, the Angel Tree Project and their adopted school, Sarah Moore Greene.
Tabors says the local chapter is looking to grow and invites all women who have the desire to promote service and give back to the community to join them. Those wishing for more information or desiring to join should contact Amicae Tabors at ctabors@icloud.com
