The Suffolk chapter of Las Amigas Inc. was named the National Outstanding Chapter by the national organization at its 54th National Conclave the week of June 26 at the Westin Hotel Towne Center in Virginia Beach.

The national organization was founded in Charlotte, N.C., in 1955 and has chapters in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Three members of the Suffolk chapter were recognized at the conclave for having served more than 35 years. Sylvia Turner, a charter member of the Suffolk chapter, Cleo Myrick (40 years) and Jean Copeland (37 years) were honored.

The three women have served a total of 123 years and have served in every capacity of the organization at the local, regional and national levels. Copeland also served as the eighth National President.

The Suffolk chapter was organized in 1966.

The club’s 2011-2012 project was titled “The Circle of Friends.” Each chapter member adopted senior friends and helped them in numerous ways, including helping them sign up for programs, driving them to medical appointments and running errands for them.

The 14 adopted seniors ranged in age from 73 to 102 and received cards and gifts on their birthdays and holidays.

In the past, the Suffolk chapter worked with the Genieve Shelter, the Salvation Army, the local Sickle Cell Anemia Association and others.

National projects include the Comfort of Love, where blankets are given to shelters, the National Lupus Foundation, the Bone Marrow Donor Program and Habitat for Humanity.