Congratulations to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) North Atlantic Region. The nation’s oldest African American Sorority held a “Community Awards Luncheon: Salute to Excellence” at Radisson Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia on Saturday.

“The mission of the Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) is to pursue and promote lifelong learning. AKA and EAF recognize that it takes a village to raise a child, and as such it takes more than just the schools and traditional education methods to create a love of lifetime learning,” said Pat Augustus Gilbert.

The “Salute to Excellence” Community Education Awards Luncheon is the initiative of Alpha Kappa Alpha's North Atlantic Regional Director, Constance Pizarro, and brought to fruition by North Atlantic Regional EAF Coordinator, Alicia Tibbs Tolson.

The event is an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge members of the community who have made a positive difference through their contributions to education. The 2012 awardees represented Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

Members, referred to as chapter captains, worked diligently to make this year’s event a huge success under the leadership of the North Atlantic Regional Cluster II EAF Representative, Pat Augustus Gilbert. Ingrid Holmes, Charlene DeShields, Marian Garfield, Stephyne Walker-Hill, Vanessa Thomas Smith, Loretta Rogers and Donna C. Hunt made up this year’s team.

EAF Committee Members who also were vital to the initiative included: Jean A. Greene, Anne Smith, Cheryl Walker Davis, Kimberly Lewis, Carolyn Dozier, Doretha Green and Pasty Pipkin-Perry.

“For more than 102 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has exhibited a staunch commitment to educational endeavors through an unparalleled focus on philanthropy by its membership. We have awarded more than $1.7 million, since 1980, through the Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF), our non-profit organization. EAF allows members, supporters and businesses to make tax-deductible gifts for scholarships and community grants.”

This year’s outstanding awardees included: Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, the first lady of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia. She is a member of the Church Education Ministry and also serves as board vice president of the Philadelphia Association of Christian Schools. Dr. Waller also serves as a board member of the Philadelphia Mennonite High School.

Other distinguished awardees were: Mr. Eric Jones, Pastor Nathaniel Johnson,

Mr. Reuben Salters, Mr. Daniel Savoy, and Councilman Justen A. Wright of Wilimington, Del.

Augustus Gilbert expressed sincere gratitude to all who attended and participated in this year’s milestone event. “As the Educational Advancement Foundation Representative for Cluster II of the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I am truly pleased to have had such strong support of the Cluster II, "Salute to Excellence Luncheon" We are so happy to be afforded the opportunity to recognize individuals who have made a difference in the lives of youth and created an environment where they can grow and develop a love of life-long learning.”

“Congratulations are extended to our honorees. It is a pleasure to be among such distinguished individuals who believe children are our future and need to be cultivated in order to become contributing citizens of our society. It is also an honor to acknowledge the memory and many contributions of Marva Purnell-Greene who worked tirelessly for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Educational Advancement Foundation. I would like to thank all chapter captains and chapters of the Cluster II Region whose outstanding work ethic made today possible. Special thanks are also extended to Alicia Tibbs Tolson for her continued support,” she added.