Alpha Phi Omega, Elon’s service fraternity, has a big year planned in 2003-04. The group’s 25 members hope to build on the momentum gained during the 2002-03 academic year, when Alpha Phi Omega performed more than 1,500 hours of community service.
Students interested in learning more about Alpha Phi Omega will have several chances to do so during the first two weeks of school. The group will have a table at the campus-wide organization fair from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 29. Alpha Phi Omega will also have an information table in Moseley Center Sept. 1-4, and interest meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 2 and Sept. 4 in Moseley 217.
The group plans to kick off the year with a garage sale from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23 at 204 S. O’Kelly Ave., directly across the railroad tracks from Hook, Brannock and Barney residence hall. Some of the items for sale include a television, Sega Dreamcast, a child’s desk and an adult desk.
The garage sale will help raise funds for the 2003 Region 3 conference for Alpha Phi Omega at Elon. Scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2, the conference is expected to bring more than 400 people to Elon from North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Conference participants will take part in workshops, service projects and preparations for the Alpha Phi Omega national conference in 2004.
Last year, Alpha Phi Omega members contributed their time and effort to a variety of charitable and service causes throughout the area. One of their favorite activities is a weekly tutoring session with students from nearby Elon Elementary School. Other activities the group has participated in that benefit children include the Juvenile Diabetes Walk, Walk of America-March of Dimes and the Share-A-Bear program, which provides a teddy bear to children affected by AIDS/HIV.
APO is also committed to working closely with Elon Cares, an organization of Elon students that raises awareness about AIDS and HIV on campus. Elon Cares members give presentations to classes and organize an awareness week on campus about the issues surrounding AIDS and HIV. APO members will assist Elon Cares in several different fundraising efforts, including the highly popular Dining With Friends program next spring.
Some other service efforts APO has undertaken during the past year include donating blood at several blood drives on campus, raising money for the American Red Cross, serving as ushers at major campus events, volunteering at a Carolina Courage professional soccer game and cleaning a local roadway through the Adopt-A-Highway program. APO also contributed the largest single donation, $5,000, to Elon’s Dance Marathon, which raised money for Duke Children’s Hospital.
Alpha Phi Omega is the largest Greek undergraduate program in the United States. Founded in 1925 by Frank Reed Horton at Lafayette College, APO has its roots in the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America, reflected in its adherence to the three scouting values of leadership, friendship and service.
For more information, check out Alpha Phi Omega’s Web site at www.elon.edu/org/alphaphiomega or email Aubria at awilliams3@elon.edu, or Michelle at mmoody@elon.edu.