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Service Blog
Beginning in the September 2014, Zeta Beta's service blog is a new tradition started by historian Megan Burpo. The blog was created as a way to document service in Zeta Beta in a way pictures could not. Brothers write as many words as they wish and will often tell a unique story about their service experience. It can be an expansion on a service shoutout, or about an opportunity found outside of the fraternity. The blog is shared with alumni and the Virginia Tech community after each new post as a way to stay connected and to show the work APO is doing.
Service Shout-outs
Started in 2012 with VPS Jasmin Thomas, brothers start off the service section by sharing positive or funny stories encountered in their past week of service. This allows brothers to hear the impact that they are making every time they attend a project, rake a leaf, or help a child. It often times helps brothers who do not normally attend certain projects to get a better understanding of the work completed and be inspired themselves to go. As service is one of the three founding pillars of Alpha Phi Omega, Zeta Beta never wants to lose site of why we serve amidst the numbers. Service Shoutouts help to foster reflection among the brotherhood.
sERVICE iMMERSION tRIPS
Immersion trips are a great way for Zeta Beta to reach outside of the New River Valley and help brothers rekindle their passion for serving. Starting in 2012 with a trip to New York to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Zeta Beta has made it a priority to offer one service immersion trip per semester. In the spring of 2014 Zeta Beta (8 brothers) partnered with Virginia Tech's SERVE for a weekend in Knoxville, Tn to help with projects such as habitat for humanity and local food banks. In the fall of 2014 the VPS, Kyndal Stakes, planned weekend service immersion trip to Charlotte, NC that focused on the homeless. The eighteen brothers worked cleaning a transitional house, serving dinner at shelter, and lastly at Church On The Street, a program that delivers food to the homeless of Charlotte.