The Nu Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta hosted a book drive for a local charity, Betty’s Hope, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Students gathered in the War Memorial Student Union in hopes of collecting books and raising money and awareness for child bereavement.
Betty’s Hope is a new charity based out of Baton Rouge that was created in 2012 by Warrick Dunn, a former NFL running back with 12 combined seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Buckineers and Atlanta Falcons. He lost his mother, Betty Smothers, Baton Rouge police corporal, in January of 1993 after she was ambushed and murdered at a local bank.
With the help of a therapist and grief programs, Dunn received  the support he needed to heal and organize this charity in effort to help others dealing with the same loss he has suffered.
It is a “bereavement program for children ages 5-18 dealing with the loss of a parent or loved one,” said Delta Sigma Theta president Keyera Dyson.
Bereavement programs like Betty’s Hope aid numerous children and teens by providing informational books, peer groups, community support and training, community awareness and educational resources with information about methods of dealing with grief associated with the loss of a parent or loved one.
According to the Warrick Dunn Charities webpage, “the loss of caregivers and important role models in a child or teen’s life has numerous effects and outcomes. These may include a decrease in academic performance, changes in socio-economic status, homelessness, poverty, drug and alcohol abuse and involvement in criminal activity.”
Although no books were collected during the drive, the money that was donated will be used to help provide books to children and teens in order to help them in the grievance process.
In addition to collecting both new and lightly used books, Dyson explained intentions of accepting monetary donations from those who choose to support this great cause.”
At the end of the drive, Delta Sigma Theta collected $87 in donations from students, faculty, and guests of Southeastern. Their goal was to gather as many donations as possible while raising awareness for the charity.
Any campus organizations interested in participating in this charity can contact Leonard Briscoe, program coordinator at (225)532-9618 or [email protected]. Any students interested in donating to the charity can also contact Dyson at [email protected] or [email protected].