Greenbriar Children’s Center recently received a generous donation from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Sigma Omega chapter. In celebration of the service organization’s 75^th anniversary, GSO President Sheila B. Hutcherson presented a $20,075 check to Greenbriar representatives on May 20 during an “Inspiration and Recognitions” program at First African Baptist Church on Montgomery Street.

The Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha helped to found Greenbriar in 1944 after Adaline Graham, a well-known Savannah woman, willed property and funds to whomever might start a movement to establish an orphanage for African-American children.

Five young women of the GSO chapter utilized the funds – and raised $50,000 more – to purchase a tract of land on West 50th Street on which to build a facility and established a children’s center. On June 8, 1944, using an additional $4,500 donated by the Graham estate, Greenbriar Children’s Center was founded. It opened July 15, 1949 with a cottage-style building that accommodated 20 children and a private apartment for a resident housemother.

In May 1954, the 15-acre tract on which Greenbriar now stands at 3709 Hopkins St. was purchased for $17,000. The center began accepting children of all races in 1964. During Greenbriar’s formative years, GSO’s first president, Martha Wright Wilson, served as the president of the Greenbriar Board of Directors. Throughout the years, GSO chapter members have continued to serve on Greenbriar’s board and, at times, as the president.

“It is important to Gamma Sigma Omega chapter that we maintain this legacy and bond of service and support. We are proud of Greenbriar and this contribution shows how much we love and appreciate what they have done and continues to do in providing a safe place for children,” Hutcherson said.

In addition to the financial contribution, GSO provided 75 duffel bags for the children transitioning to the center. And in March, the sorority contributed $5,000 toward a new HVAC system for Greenbriar.

During the check presentation ceremony, Greenbriar Executive Director Gena P. Taylor and Greenbriar’s Board President Melissa Emery thanked the Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter members for their support and dedication to Greenbriar.

“This is an incredibly generous and surprising donation. We’re so humbled and honored to receive these funds, which are very much needed and will certainly go to good use,” Taylor said. “The ladies of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha are our biggest supporters, allies and friends. It’s wonderful to know we can count on them to help advance our mission in carrying for Chatham County abused, neglected runaway and homeless children.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek- letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of more than 290,000 members in 1,015 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, Liberia, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Germany, South Korea, Bermuda, Japan, Canada, South Africa and in the Middle East.

Greenbriar promotes the healthy development of children and the strengthening of families by providing services that include an emergency shelter, runaway/homeless residential care, independent living, family preservation, early childhood education and care, and Project Safe Place.