Patterson Elementary School Partnership: Through the years, The BIG Pentagon Chapter has had a great partnership with Patterson Elementary School and others schools in the African-American and the Latino Communities. From Kendal’s for kindergarten students, to clothes and shoes for needy students to a washer and dryer and flat-screen televisions to library books for the school to supporting to Youth Day and Career Day, the BIG Pentagon Chapter has a rich relationship with the staff and students.

School Supplies Drive: The Braxton Family hosts a School Supplies Drive annually for The BIG Pentagon Chapter in August. The catered cook-out is opened to Region XI BIG Members and others with school supplies being the admission. Cases of school supplies and other items are normally collected and donated to W.B. Patterson Elementary School.

2017 – The Corvette Club donated 100 backpacks of school supplies to the BIG Pentagon Chapter.

Coats, Hats, Scarfs, Drive: Back to School: The Braxton Family Christmas Party Benefit which primarily is a Coats, Hats, Scarfs, and Gloves Drive annually for The BIG Pentagon Chapter in December. The catered Christmas Party is opened to Region XI BIG Members and other friends with coats, hats, scarfs, gloves, and any other items for elementary school aged children.  Most items collected are donated to W. B. Patterson Elementary School, other schools, recreation centers, etc.

2007 – The BIG Pentagon Chapter collected over 100 Coats, Gloves, Hats and Scarf Sets  amongst other wipes, soap and supplies.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets:

2021 – The Chapter donated Thanksgiving grocery store gift cards for $75.00 each to 10 families in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia.  The funds assisted in purchasing groceries for 39 people (27 children and 12 adults).  Additionally, the Chapter provided two Thanksgiving food baskets with a complete Thanksgiving meal to feed two families (6 children and 2 adults).

2020 – The Chapter donated Thanksgiving grocery store gift cards for $50.00 each to 10 families in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. The funds assisted towards purchasing groceries for 35 people (23 children and 12 adults).

Christmas Assistance Program:

2021 – The Chapter supported a single parent family with six children with a donation of $500.00.  The parent indicated the funds will be used towards purchase of furniture for a new apartment they recently moved into.

2020 – The Chapter supported three families with $500.00 per family.  The first family used the $500.00 towards renovation cost of their downstairs home to accommodate their 16 year old son who experienced a medical emergency that left him in a wheelchair.  The second family is a single mother with five children (three school aged and two non-school aged). The Chapter provided their Social Worker with a $500.00 visa card to assist the family in purchasing food, household items, and a few Christmas gifts. The third family is a single mother (she had to take a pay cut from her employee due to the pandemic) and has fallen behind on her bills. She has a one year old son.  The mother that submitted her daughter said the $500.00 check we provided her daughter will be used to buy groceries, pay her car note for one month, and pay a water bill