Members of the Suffolk chapter of Las Amigas Inc. have official bragging rights after earning the title as the nation’s best.

From June 26-30, members attended its annual convention held in Philadelphia. After competing with 31 chapters, National co-founder Mary Q. Moore presented the &uot;outstanding chapter&uot; award to Suffolk Las Amigas president Pearlie Blanks.

Las Amigas, with chapters across the globe, is committed to enriching all segments of the population through community service. The Suffolk group was able to impress the judges with a melange of creative program initiatives that target all age groups, explained Blanks, who is in her first year as president.

&uot;This is quite exciting,&uot; said Blanks. &uot;We put in many hours working with the numerous programs we offer throughout the year. Now we see that our hard work paid off. It’s so rewarding.&uot;

Locally, Las Amigas has worked with Meals on Wheels; volunteered to feed the homeless and elderly residents during Thanksgiving and Christmas; donated books and supplies to day cares and schools; adopted a family; contributed to the Cheer Fund, Sickle Cell Anemia Association, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and NAACP.

Suffolk Las Amigas has also made a difference by extending its outreach to the Genieve Shelter for Battered Women and Salvation Army. Habitat for Humanity also benefits from the volunteer efforts of Las Amigas.

The group has sponsored a teen fair featuring workshops on social graces, &uot;dressing for success,&uot; and finances. Biannually, the organization sponsors a &uot;Little Miss Las Amigas&uot; pageant, which generates funds

for scholarships and other programs.

Suffolk Las Amigas has carried out numerous other community projects, which contributed to its &uot;outstanding chapter&uot; award. Blanks said it had been several years since the group had achieved this recognition.

Members who attended the national affair in addition to Blanks include Virginia Doughty, charter member; Ethel Brown, Zachelle Savage, Aprill Hart, Joan Russell Jones, and Ethel Hart.