In what has become a do-not-miss event for Wichita seniors, members of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Wichita sponsored their 38th Annual Wendell Smith Senior Citizens Appreciation Banquet on Sun., Dec. 15, at Wichita State University’s Marcus Welcome Center
More than 150 seniors attended the event, where they received a delicious home-cooked meal catered by Jodee B Catering and every senior in attendance received a gift.
“No matter what, this is an event we make sure happens every year,” says Larry Burk chapter advisor.
The brothers started the event as a way to give back and show appreciation for seniors in the community.
“We want them to know we honor them and that they’re worthy of recognition,” said Burk, the chapter’s adviser.
Several years ago, the chapter named the event in honor of one of their long-serving chapter members, Wendell Smith, who passed on but was active until his health would no longer allow him.
Every year, Santa (Joseph Patrick, Jr.) appears at the event, but this year, he brought along one of his pesky elves (Harry Willis.)
The event chair was Brother Rodney Jones. The Chapter’s Basileus is Col Johari Hemphill.
