Small Town News

Local Alpha Kappa Alpha Chapter receives funding from U.S. Census Bureau

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The Beta Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has been approved to receive a $2,999 grant from the U.S. Census Bureau to launch activities designed to raise awareness about the significance of "Being Counted."

"This is good news," chapter members agreed. The Sorority's Connection Committee, under the leadership of Gwendolyn Collier and Chapter President Annie Brown, will soon announce local census activities. The sorority hopes that Macon County citizens will do a better job in returning census data applications than they have in previous years.

In 2000, Macon County citizens returned only 47 percent of the census data forms. The national average is 62 percent returns. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Beta Xi Omega Chapter have historically partnered with the U. S. Census Bureau in this national effort.

In announcing the grant, the chapter president stated, "This is a critical effort. Churches will be asked to join the local leadership in attempting to increase the number of census data applications returned. Indeed, all organizations are invited to join the organized leadership of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in this exciting and very necessary activity."

In many cases, job opportunities are supported, sustained and even created by federal, state and local agencies, which use census data to determine their level of funding. According to Dr. Gwendolyn Moore, Superintendent of Macon County Public Schools. "It is crucial that we participate in the census count. Census statistics are used in obtaining grants and federal funding that is needed for the school system to maintain programs and instructional supports that are critical in preparing our children to be successful in this now global society."

The United States Census Data forms will be short and will arrive during the month of March 2010. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will spend the next few months providing helpful information and awareness activities to ensure an increase in data form returns.

For further information, please contact Annie Brown at (334) 354-7460 or Gwen Collier at (334) 257-1270.

Please join us in supporting the goal of achieving a "Complete Count" in 2010.



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© 2010 The Tuskegee News Tuskegee, Alabama. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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