Beta Serves Savannah
First introduced at the 2022 National Convention in Nashville, Beta Serves is a national service project which allows Beta attending National Convention to demonstrate our motto, “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” Through detailed research, the National Office highlights a need in the host city and partners with local organizations to allow our project to make the greatest impact.
Table of contents
What is the 2024 project?
This year, we’re partnering with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) to provide school supplies to students in Savannah. SCCPSS serves 36,000 students with over half of the students receiving free or reduced lunch. The items collected by clubs this summer will be distributed to the students in this area.
How does it work?
We’re asking clubs to collect items that have been requested by SCCPSS and bring them to National Convention. Donations have been broken up by division to ensure an equal amount of each item are collected.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to serve at the National Convention by sorting and boxing items. Additional details regarding service are available below.
Volunteering
All members, Sponsors and guests have the opportunity to serve during National Convention. By sharing your time and energy, you are helping to make a significant impact on the lives of students in Savannah, GA.
To maximize the impact each volunteer can make, individuals can sign up to serve during the specific volunteer times as listed on the National Convention schedule. Duties involve counting, sorting and packing intake of donations. If your club is elementary or junior division, please ensure you have an adult chaperone during any service hour time. If you sign up for a specific time slot, we ask that you make plans to stay for the entirety of your registered time.
The sign up form will remain open until all slots are filled.
Each volunteer will receive an official “I Beta Served” button.
Service Competition
The top 10 schools per division who donate the most items averaged per attendee will win a plaque AND our exclusive Beta Serves Savannah pin! Awards will be given pre-session during the last session. Items will be counted based on the list below.
Donation Guidelines and Supply List
- Donations have been broken up by division. Only items listed specifically for your division will count towards the competition.
- Only items listed below will be accepted.
- All items must be new and in original packaging. Please refer to the item count next to each item.
- Items will only be accepted at a designated location at specified drop-off times.
Examples of each item are linked in each list.
Elementary Donation List
- Crayons (24 count only): (1) 24 ct box = 1 item
- Broad or Fine Line Colored Markers (8 or 10 count box): 1 box = 1 item
- Black or Blue Pens (no organization logos): (1) 10 pack = 1 item
- No organization logos or names
- Example pens from Target
- Example pens from Amazon-bulk order
Junior Donation List
- Composition Notebook Wide Ruled or College Ruled (9.75 x 7.5 only): 1 notebook = 1 item
- Highlighters: (1) 3 pack or 4pack = 1 item
- #2 Wood Pencils (pack of 10 or 12): (1) 12 pack = 1 item
Senior Donation List
- College or Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Notebook Paper: 1 pack (150 sheets or more) = 1 item
- Glue Sticks: 2 glue sticks = 1 item
- Scissors (labeled 4+, 5+, 6+, or 8+): 1 pair=1 item
Where and when do we bring our donations?
Beta Serves Savannah donation drop off will be in Tondee’s Café, located just off the River Concourse. Items dropped off will be counted by a National Office staff member. Ideally, all items from a particular club should be dropped off at once. However, if your club is arriving to National Convention at different times, they may be dropped off at your convenience during the posted drop-off schedule.
Junior Division
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| June 11, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| June 12, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off Only (last opportunity) |
Elementary Division
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| June 15, 2024 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off (last opportunity) |
Senior Division
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| June 16, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| June 17, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| June 18, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off (last opportunity) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why am I only allowed to bring items listed for my division? The list was split between each division to ensure that we did not collect an over supply of one item and too few of others.
- Why must the items be new and in packages? All students deserve to start school with new school supplies. As educators, parents, and students, we know that new school supplies boost a student’s confidence and help start the school year off on the right foot. We want to ensure all students we are serving are afforded that same opportunity.
- What if I bring a larger pack count of an item? If you bring a large pack of an item and the pack can easily be split into smaller, equal, same packs , we will divide the count requested by the number in your pack. For example: a 6-count pack of glue sticks will be counted as 3 items but a pack of 60 crayons cannot be split into equal and same packs.
- If I buy an item in bulk but it is not individually packaged, will you accept them? The only items that we can accept if not packaged are glue sticks, scissors, pens, pencils, and highlighters. However, we do ask that these items be in the original purchase box. Example: A bulk box of 60 glue sticks will count as 30 items if they are in the original bulk packaging.
- Why will you only accept items listed? While we understand that Betas are incredibly generous with their donations, the SavannahPublic School District has a limited amount of storage to house all donations. Their team created a list based on the items that every student they serve will need. Although some students may need additional items, they requested items that were the most important.