When the Suffolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was deciding on its philanthropy projects for this year, they landed on Diapers for Haiti, a charity that sends cloth diapers and other necessities to new mothers and orphanages in Haiti.

It was an excellent choice. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world. Nearly 60 percent of its population lives under the national poverty line of the equivalent of $2.41 U.S. dollars per day, according to World Bank. Yes, that’s $2.41 per day. Almost a quarter of citizens live under the national extreme poverty line of $1.23 per day.

Many families in Haiti struggle to provide even the bare necessities for their children, which is why many U.S.-based charities and missions focus their attention on Haiti.

Having chosen to help Diapers for Haiti, the chapter probably could have simply made a cash donation. But who doesn’t love shopping for baby things? So they set out to have a baby shower to bring in items to be donated to Diapers for Haiti.

The ladies wanted to share the love, however, so they contacted a dozen other women’s organizations, including other sorority alumnae chapters, women’s ministries at churches, groups such as the Les Gemmes, Las Amigas and the LINKS Inc. and the Suffolk Business Women.

The response from more than 100 women who attended the baby shower and brought gifts was overwhelming. More tables had to be set up to hold everything. In all, more than 1,500 gifts valued at more than $5,000 were collected to send to Haiti.

The event proved once again that women in Suffolk are kind, generous and thoughtful of those who have less than themselves. The Suffolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and all those who participated deserve a round of applause.