POTSDAM -- Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity at Clarkson University, collected 32 coats for North Country children as a part of their annual outreach effort.

The student organization teamed up with Lawrence Avenue Elementary School and New Hope Community Church to provide the coats to those in need. Alpha Kappa Psi members not only delivered the coats, but also hosted a small party for the children to celebrate the holidays.

The fraternity's service chairman, Joel Hinkley of Massena, coordinated the celebration.

"I feel that giving back to the Potsdam community is very important, because living at Clarkson for eight months out of the year means that we are part of the community ourselves," Hinkley said. "It is important to give back to the community in which we spend some of the best years of our lives."

As a co-ed business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi focuses on developing future leaders, fostering academic excellence and perfecting professionalism.

"Service is an integral part of our goals and core values," said chapter president Connor Bayly of Kirkville. "Our annual Coats for Kids event is just one of the events that exemplifies our service to others. In support of the recent MLK Day, Martin Luther King Jr. once said 'Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.' As leaders of the Clarkson community, we are always looking for opportunities to give back to the school and the surrounding community."

To learn more about Alpha Kappa Psi, email alphakpsi.deltachi@gmail.com.