Service: Cemetery CleanUp!

When looking for a service project to do for the month of October, I wanted to find something unique, outdoorsy, and something that would allow for a large group of people. To do this, I went to a website called HandsOn Northeast Georgia <http://handsonnortheastgeorgia.com> and looked through the 130+ volunteer opportunities that were listed in the Athens-Clarke County area. While looking through the extensive opportunities, I found a service project that was outdoors, allowed for a large group of people, and was perfect for the month of October: a cemetery cleanup.

Bethlehem Cemetery is an African American cemetery which was used primarily from the 1880s to the 1990s. Those who were laid to rest here mostly lived in the Brooklyn/Hawthorne area of Athens. There are over 1100 known burials in the cemetery. Nature and time have laid claim to much of the cemetery; some tombstones have fallen and are covered with ivy, other graves are completely unmarked. Routinely, an organization called Friends of Brooklyn Cemetery recruits volunteers to clear away overgrowth and undergrowth, clip small limbs and branches, pull weeds and invasive plants to reveal the grave sites and markings. Not only was this the perfect service project for our chapter, it was also a project to restore a precious piece of Athens history.

The impact on the members was tremendous. It was very rewarding to do hands on work in which they could immediately see the impact they were making to bring this cemetery back to life. The historical aspect of the cemetery was also very interesting. Our site leader, Linda, told her story of how she grew up around the cemetery and how she remembered visiting her grandparents’ grave there when she was young. Her goal is to rediscover her grandparents’ grave and give the cemetery the dignity and respect that it deserves. Hearing the site leader’s connection to the cemetery gave the project meaning and a purpose.  I received awesome feedback from the members and many requested to return to the cemetery for future service projects. It was great to see the members of the Georgia Alpha Chapter enjoying the work they were doing.

Unique service projects like this are not hard to find or to organize. There are so many opportunities to have an impact and create positive change your community. Utilize the HandsOn Network <http://www.handsonnetwork.org> to find a myriad of service projects in your community. It is an awesome resource to find service projects that fit the needs of your chapter.

Onyale Donloe

Associate Director of Service

NRHH - Georgia Alpha Chapter

University of Georgia

Recognition: Share a Story through Video

With technology at our fingertips now a days, consider taking a camera to record a recognition video that visually shows the amazing work of someone you know. Below you'll find a link to a recognition video project done by two NRHH Members from the Georgia Alpha Chapter (University of Georgia) as they show their appreciation for someone who plays an important role in assisting RHA and Hall Council Programs.

Hey SAACURH!

Welcome to "Diamond Pride: The BLOG!" We can't wait to introduce you guys to this awesome blog. Every 2 weeks we will be posting a list of project ideas that promote or incorporate the 4 pillars of NRHH. Feel free to begin by subscribing to us or bookmarking us in your favorites list. Stay tune for more ideas to come! 

Recognition: A Fortune of Thank Yous

Inspired from the messages found in fortune cookies, the Fortune of Thank Yous is a fun way to collect thank you messages from people and creatively present them to the person your recognizing. Here are the steps to create this precious gift.

Materials: Take Out Box (pre-made or from a template), glue, ribbon of various colors, stacks of color paper, markers and pens





1) Divide and cut the stacks of color paper into even pieces. I've noticed that rectangular shapes work really well for the messages. After you have all the sheets ready to go, head out and gather thank you messages from people. 

2) Once you have gathered enough messages, roll each message and secure it with a ribbon. It's okay if the messages do not roll out to be the same height just make sure that they are about the same diameter. 

3) After you've rolled up all your messages, you now have to obtain a take out box. You can either get a pre-made box or make your own. There are a wide variety of templates available online if you want to make your own take out box. If you make your own I recommend printing it on card stock. 

4) To finish it up all you have to do is put all of your rolled up messages into your take out box. As an optional finish you can also tie a ribbon around the take out box as well.