The Sigma Beta Beta Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., held its first Make a Difference Award Dinner Dance on Saturday, Nov. 3. at Verdi's of Westbury.

During the celebration of excellence, two esteemed Westbury residents, Dorothy Royal and Mannie Sweat, were honored for their tireless work on behalf of the local community.

Dorothy Royal is a native New Yorker, born at Harlem Hospital, and has been a resident of Westbury for 48 years. She became a widow at a young age and raised five children. Although busy with the task of raising her five children, she found the time to be involved in many community activities, which included her church, PTA, Girl Scouts, Civic Associations, Little League support, and day care. After her children were grown and educated, Mrs. Royal returned to school and received her master's degree in social work. She retired as a social worker from the Long Island Jewish Health System.

In her retirement, she has been actively involved in the local community, as a member of the New Cassel Unified Civic Association, and the Turnaround New Cassel/Westbury Drug Fighters. As a member of the Drugfighters, she participates in marches through New Cassel every Friday night against, drugs, gangs and violence. She is also involved in the New Cassel Weed and Seed and St. Brigid's Church. For more than 15 years, Royal has run a private day-care service for community residents. She is loved and respected by friends and neighbors, and is always called upon when there is a community issue to be addressed. Royal is the proud mother of three daughters, Valerie, Glenda and Doreen, and two sons, Gregory and Jeffery, and the proud grandmother of Breanna.

Mannie Sweat, Jr. was born in Holly Hills, SC to Mr. and Mrs. Mannie Sweat, Sr. The eldest of 11 siblings, he attended the Orangeburg County public schools, during the pre-civil rights era, when they were segregated. He graduated in 1956 from Roberts High School. Upon graduation and seeking an opportunity to escape the Jim Crow laws that were in place at the time in the South, he enlisted and served for four years in the United States Air Force. After being honorably discharged in 1960, he moved to New York City, and had a successful, 30-year career with the New York City Department of Hospitals. He began as an aide with the housekeeping staff at Harlem Hospital, and rose to position of associate director of Housekeeping Services for the entire institution.

A resident of Westbury since 1972, Mannie has worked diligently in the civic affairs of the community. He has worked as president and board member of the Central Westbury Civic Association, community development coordinator for the Incorporated Village of Westbury, budget advisory committee member for the Westbury School District, and organizer of the Greater Westbury Civic Associations. Sweat is currently in his sixth term as president of the Central Westbury Civic Association, and he has put his all into the office. He is unwavering in his efforts to ensure solid community values, even in spite of the routine threats and occasional physical risk this brings him. His perseverance has earned him recognition from 13th District Assemblyman David Sidikman and regards from throughout the Westbury community.

Mannie is married to Ann Cannon Sweat, a lifelong resident of Westbury. He is the father of two daughters, Patricia Sweat McKune of the Bronx and Letitia Sweat of Jersey City, NJ. He has one grandson, Shabezz McKune.

The awards dinner dance hosted by the Sigma Beta Beta Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was organized by the chapter's Dance Committee: Vernon Campbell, co-chairman; Robert L. Hylton, Ph.D., co-chairman; Al Campbell, Frank Drayton, Harry K. Good III, Ph. D., and Henry Mack. The chapter's ongoing projects include supporting the Westbury Senior Citizen programs, voter registration, providing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, as well as student scholarships and mentoring.

-Andrea Morale