Programs of the fraternity:

Mission Statement

Since its founding in 1914, Phi Beta Sigma has been committed to service. The founders made it clear that all who wished to be a part of the brotherhood would give back to the communities from which they came. The Zeta Eta chapter has made community outreach a major priority. Listed below are just some of the many programs ZH participates in, or sponsors. For more information on our open service projects, contact Brother David Duck.


Salvation Army Charlottesville

Every Saturday morning, the brothers of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., head to the Salvation Army shelter off of Ridge Street in Downtown Charlottesville. While there, we help with a variety of tasks, from sorting food and clothing closets and donations, to sorting files, to beautifying the Grounds around the shelter and making it more presentable. The most valuable experience taken from this service opportunity is the chance to work with other volunteers to make this shelter a productive home for all those who use its resources.

To work with the Salvation Army in Charlottesville, visit: www.avenue.org/sarmy


Book-A-Bration

As one of our most important and influential service projects of the year, The Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will be sponsoring an International Book Drive. This drive will benefit underprivileged youth in Ghana, West Africa. There will be boxes for you to donate your books on the second floor of Newcomb Hall throughout finals week.
In an effort to reach out beyond the traditional sphere of community service, we are trying to impact the lives of students across the Diaspora on the African Continent. We would like to collect all the books (without regard for subject matter) that the bookstore will not buy back from you and which you do not plan on keeping.
We are sending these books to State Experimental Junior Secondary School, an intermediate school in Kumasi, Ghana, that we have established a partnership with. The students at this school are badly in need of textbooks of all kinds, to the point that the materials they use are photocopied from old, out of date sources, and some students do not even have the luxury of using books at all.


Madison House Holiday Sharing

It is important for us to share some of our blessings with those who are less fortunate than we are. This past year, the Zeta Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. participated in the Holiday Sharing Program, along with our sorors of the Tau Theta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Holiday Sharing volunteers are responsible for the recruitment, supplemental shopping, and distribution of the holiday packages. Through this program, we sponsored a family and provided them with gift packages filled with three full meals of non-perishable items, as well as gifts for each member of the family.

For more information about this program, click here.


Project S.A.T.A.P.P. (w/ the March of Dimes Foundation)

The SATAPP (Sigmas Against Teen-age Pregnancy Plus) Program, jointly implemented by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the March of Dimes, was established to give males the tools they need to make smart choices about a healthy lifestyle that will help lead to responsible fatherhood. The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health organization that saves babies from birth defects, preterm birth and infant death through cutting edge research, innovative programs, education and advocacy. SATAPP provides an opportunity to highlight the responsibilities of fatherhood to teenagers or men who may become fathers before they are ready.
SATAPP helps teenagers and men make informed decisions about their lifestyles and prepares them for eventual fatherhood through conferences, seminars, workshops, discussion sessions and community-based forums. Our chapter will be tabling to collect money for the local March of Dimes chapter in November and participating in their WalkAmerica event next semester. For more information about the March of Dimes, visit their website.


Project S.W.W.A.C. (w/ the American Cancer Society)

Project SWWAC's four pronged approach of involving brothers in delivering cancer education, involvement in advocacy issues, fundraising and volunteerism has resulted in numerous cancer awareness seminars for their chapters and their communities, educating thousands on early detection and prevention of cancer and the need to be involved in public policy efforts to encourage leaders to address the devastating impact on cancer on communities and families.

As members of the "One Voice Against Cancer" (OVAC) coalition, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is one of more that 40 organizations dedicated to eliminating cancer through smart public policy. Sigmas also played a large role in a joint effort with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a briefing on the impact of cancer on African American communities, and the active leadership of multiple organizations to work to reduce its impact.

The Zeta Eta Chapter will also be tabling to raise money for cancer awareness here at the University and passing out information to help educate students about the effects of cancer regular screenings. Look out for more information about these initiatives.

For more information about the American Cancer Society, visit their national website.