Members of Meridian’s Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Delta Nu Zeta chapter marked the holiday season by helping others Tuesday as they donated personal care items to Care Lodge for those in need.

 

The donation was given as part of the chapter’s “All Things Purple” Christmas theme, and included a variety of purple items such as deodorants, water bottles, toothpaste and more. The sorority also wants to raise awareness about domestic violence during the holidays and give support to victims and others who have been impacted by it.

 

Care Lodge, a nonprofit organization offering shelter, court advocacy, counseling, children’s programs and other support for victims of domestic violence, serves more than 1,000 people each year throughout its nine county service area in East Mississippi. First launched in 1981, the shelter has operated in Meridian for more than 40 years.

 

Zeta Phi Beta, which was founded at Howard University in 1920, has hundreds of chapters throughout the U.S. and globally. The sorority emphasizes volunteering and encourages members to help transform their local community by getting involved in local programs and projects.

 

Muriel Sutton, domestic violence coordinator for Zeta Phi Beta Delta Nu Zeta chapter said one of the sorority’s initiatives is aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence, which is what led the local chapter to focus on Care Lodge for its “All Things Purple” Christmas.