Gamma Beta Phi raises funds for The Arc of Beaufort County
Gamma Beta Phi, the honor society at Beaufort County Community College, has continued its strong history of fundraising and community service with its latest donation of $900 to The Arc of Beaufort County. Members of the honor society must not only achieve academic success, they also take on projects that build an economically resilient community.
The group raised the funds through raffling off three gift baskets filled with donated merchandise from Washington businesses. The Arc is an organization for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their family members. The Arc provides support services to more than 2,600 people with disabilities across North Carolina. It manages more than 400 properties statewide, providing stable and affordable housing to more than 2,300 people.
Locally, The Arc of Beaufort County is very involved in advocating for the needs and rights of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, supporting over 500 people. The funds raised by Gamma Beta Phi will help the organization buy presents for 100 people this holiday season.
“We get wish lists from our participants for presents so that we can ensure that everyone enjoys their holidays,” said Sandra Buckman, executive director of The Arc of Beaufort County. “This donation will help us make their holidays brighter.”
In the past, Gamma Beta Phi has raised funds for the Open Door Community Center and Zion Men’s Shelter and Kitchen. It also joined with the Student Government Association this fall to gather donations for the survivors of Hurricane Dorian on Ocracoke.
The group is led by Adriana DeMercurio (pictured above, front row center), with Nicholas Blackford (front row second from left) serving as vice-president, Lindsay Swain (front row second from right) as secretary, Roxanne Tate (not pictured) as historian, and Berly Soto (front row right) and Berenice Reyes (front row left) as provost marshals. Dr. Keith Lyon serves as faculty advisor for Gamma Beta Phi.
“The Arc has such great support in the community that it made soliciting donations easy,” said Adriana DeMercurio. “As soon as we told store owners where the money was going, they were happy to contribute.”
Members of Gamma Beta Phi must be presently enrolled at BCCC and committed to excellence in education, to good character and to service. They must have completed 12 or more semester hours of college work and pay the one-time national membership fee of $70.00 along with local dues of $8.00 per semester. Members cannot have their grades drop below a GPA of 3.2 and must have a GPA of 3.5 to be join.
