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Serving the Community
Throughout the history of the Zeta Beta chapter, service to the community has always been an area filled with reward and satisfaction. Seeing one's own community improve and grow has been a driving factor behind our projects. The following section illustrates the essence of the myriad of community service projects in which Alpha Phi Omega has participated.
(Organized Alphabetically)
*currently a service project in 2013
Asthma Walk
Most Fall semesters, since 2004, Brothers and Pledges have raised money to participate in the Asthma Walk in Roanoke, Virginia through a walking trail. Radio stations, families and other organizations walk to find a cure and raise awareness for asthma.
Babysitting
In 1990, Alpha Phi Omega began providing babysitting services during meetings of various community groups in Christiansburg and Blacksburg, including AA and Head Start. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program which provides low income preschool age children with a variety of experiences to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Each month parents participate in training sessions in Christiansburg which are sponsored by New River Community Action. While parents attended meetings, Alpha Phi Omega brothers provided babysitting services. In 1991 to 1992, almost every second Wednesday of each month, four to six Zeta Beta brothers would go to the Head Start office in Christiansburg and watch six to twenty children for two to three hours.
Best Buddies*
Brothers volunteer with the residents of Fairview Home by providing company and comfort for them. Activities range from playing board games to card games or just having conversation with the elderly.
Big Event*
Every spring semester, Virginia Tech hosts a community wide service project to give back to the local Blacksburg and Christiansburg communities. There are a number of different organizations that participate in the event. For the 2010 Big Event, Brothers of Zeta Beta went around to local streets and cleaned up the trash and other items left on the streets. The Big Event is a great project not only to help the community out and show thanks for all the support they have given the Virginia Tech campus, but is also a great bonding experience for the Brothers.
Bingo*
In 2006 Zeta Beta got involved with Warm Hearth Village’s Bingo program on Friday afternoons. The project has always had great attendance and is a time that the Brothers get to keep the elderly company and to share stories. The Brothers are also willing to help at other service projects needed by Warm Hearth. The residents really enjoy the company and look forward to seeing the brothers at Bingo each week, but watch out! They can get pretty competitive, especially when prizes are involved!
Blacksburg/Christiansburg Community Youth*
Zeta Beta brothers have always been concerned with the youth in our area. In 1967,the chapter was involved with assisting the Jaycees with the Sandlot Program at the Christiansburg Child Day Care Center.
In 1970, Zeta Beta donated $250.99 of the Book Exchange earnings to the Bellview Elementary School for playground equipment. Again, in the 1971-72 school year, a contribution was made to Bellview Elementary school to purchase new Ecology books. This donation was made in memory of Prof. Buford Blair, who contributed 82 service hours that spring.
In 1982, youth-oriented projects included a Halloween party for the Headstart Program and a new tutoring program at Blacksburg High School. In 1984-85, the chapter put on a Halloween party at the Shawsville Elementary School. In 1985, several donations were made by the Zeta Beta chapter including $200 to help pay for a play performed at Harding Elementary School on child abuse and children's rights, $100 to a program which educated parents of retarded children on how to encourage learning, and $100 to S.A.D.D. (Students Against Drunk Driving) for publicity on alcohol awareness education. Since 1985, the chapter has helped marshal the Blacksburg Christmas Parade. In 1987, Saturday Specials Chair Keith Lang led the brothers in setting up and running a haunted house and Halloween carnival for the Shawsville Elementary School. The theme was "Frankenstein's Castle," and it was a huge success! Brothers have also participated in various activities in connection with the Big Brother/Big Sister program.
In the Fall of 2004 and Spring of 2005, the Middle School Dance Chairs were called “Youth Chairs.” They took care of the Middle School Dances and other youth events, aside from Tutoring.
Aside from the variety of one time projects, Zeta Beta also helps the community youth through a number of ongoing projects.
Bloodmobile
Zeta Beta's commitment to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile began on April 19, 1951. The successful collection of 197 pints on that day showed our chapter that this would be one of our biggest projects. The next drive, held on November 26, 1951, collected 193 pints.
The lengths of the drives were increased to two days in the fall of 1952. They were again increased from two to three days in the spring of 1953 through 1957.
In 1969-70, a rotating plaque was initiated which would be awarded to the campus organization with the highest percentage of donors at each drive. The organization with the highest percentage for the entire year would also be presented with a keg of beer. Each quarter during the year the plaque was won by Sigma Mu Sigma, who was awarded their keg of beer at the end of the year.
During the fall quarter of 1972, 701 pints of blood were collected and over 150 hours of service were given. Six other campus organizations were involved by providing practical help. Virginia Tech was one of the few schools where intramural points were awarded to organizations for blood donations during this time.
The Silver Anniversary Year of 1973 began with a tremendously successful Bloodmobile visit in January, topping all previous records for pints collected in both the one-day and two-day categories.
The expanded blood program proved to be quite successful. On November 21, 1975, 532 pints were collected, a new single day record. During the 1976-77 school ear, Alpha Phi Omega began "Blood Sits", a way of scheduling donors to avoid the long waits. The Red Cross pushed for more frequent visits with shorter days that year.
According to the Red Cross, the fall of 1977 was a "perfect visit." Zeta Beta exceeded the quota of 250 pints per day for the three day visit. During the winter of 1978, the Bloodmobile at Tech was providing blood for much of the east coast due to damaging snowstorms.
In 1986-87, Dan Abushanab invented "Mr. Hemoglobin", where a brother would dress up like a "blood bag" and walk around campus announcing that Bloodmobile was in town.
Competitions were routinely held between residence halls, fraternities, and other organizations for the highest percentage of donors and the highest percentage of first-time donors. On February 19-21, 1990, the Bloodmobile collected 470 pints of blood even though Virginia Tech was being rocked by an Influenza epidemic.
In 1992, the 100,000th pint of blood was collected at Alpha Phi Omega-sponsored Bloodmobiles at Virginia Tech. For two of the Bloodmobiles, brothers again dressed up as Mr. Hemoglobin to promote Bloodmobile. On February 14, 1994, the American Red Cross presented a plaque to each of the winners in donor contests throughout the year.
On December 8, 1994, the Red Cross officially opened a new blood donor center in downtown Blacksburg. Quotas for each visit of the Bloodmobile to campus were reduced to reflect the presence of the donor center.
In 1995-96, Bloodmobile began calling donors to remind them of upcoming appointments. Contact was also established with the Panhellenic Council to encourage Greek organizations to become more involved with blood donation.
Virginia Tech provides an average of over 3000 units of blood each year, and is the largest single source of blood in the region thanks to the continued efforts of the brothers of Zeta Beta.
In 1998-99, APO began sharing the duties of Bloodmobile with other organizations. All of the responsibilities including; bloodsits, working at the greeter table, donor aiding, and canteen are done in a cooperative effort with groups like RHF, Panhalenic Council, Student Alumni Association, and the Intrafraternal Council.
Currently the brothers do not organize any events for blood drives other than simply encouraging brothers to go.
Blood Sits
Brothers help promote an upcoming Blood Drive by manning Blood Sits tables around campus areas like the Drillfield or Squires Student Center. By handing out fliers or speaking with students that pass by, APO plays a major part in helping the Red Cross recruit blood donation. Students may sign up for a date and time to donate blood during the Bloodmobile. Blood Sits is also a good way to advertise APO to potential members.
Detention Center
In 1980, Zeta Beta brothers started to make visits to the New River Valley Juvenile Detention Home. The brothers would spend time with juveniles at the Center, playing games, having fun, and acting as good role models for them. In the Spring of 1986, a slave sale raised $200 which went to buy a Foozball table for the Detention Center. Due to lack of interest in this project, it was placed under Etceteras in 1997.
Dodgeball and Volleyball
Each week APO brothers volunteer to referee dodgeball and volleyball games for the community at the Blacksburg Community Center.
Environmental Awareness/Adopt-a-Highway*
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega decided to play a more active role in preserving the environment. A one-mile section of Route 460 in Christiansburg was adopted by Zeta Beta as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program. Cleanups of this section are done throughout the semester and have uncovered such objects as mattresses, a stereo, a washing machine, and the hood of a truck. In 1990, a recycling program was set up in conjunction with the Ecocycle program in McBryde. Alpha Phi Omega received $50 a month for its recycling. Alpha Phi Omega also continued to participate in the Broomin' and Bloomin' cleanup of Montgomery County. In 1991, Alpha Phi Omega had the highest volunteer turnout and also found the largest piece of trash: a motorcycle. Also in 1991 an Environmental Awareness chair was established to oversee all environment related projects. Beginning in 1993, Alpha Phi Omega has helped Ecocycle with Earth Fest, a celebration of Earth Day. In the fall of 1993, Zeta Beta coordinated a regional gathering of chapters to help clean up Claytor Lake State Park. Also in the fall of 1993, a new project, Pamplin Recycling, was started. This entailed collecting paper from each office in the Pamplin College of Business each week and then recycling the paper.
Throughout the 1990s, Alpha Phi Omega continued its involvement in the Adopt-A-Highway program and Bloomin and Bloomin', as well as participating in a variety of other projects throughout the New River Valley. Some of the locations where the chapter has volunteered our time include Falls Ridge Creek Nature Preserve, Pandappas Pond, Claytor Lake, the New River, and the campus of Virginia Tech.
In the Fall of 2008 Recycling was discontinued by the University and Zeta Beta was no longer able to participate.
Food Bank*
Twice a month brothers volunteer at the food bank in Christiansburg by helping distribute food to low-income families.
Habitat for Humanity*
A couple of times a semester we volunteer in Roanoke with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Framing, insulating, painting, roofing, and flooring are the many types of work that can be expected while volunteering with Habitat.
Humane Society
In 1984, Zeta Beta held a yard sale and donated the proceeds to the Humane Society, and thus began a new project. In 1985, the yard sale was held once again and every year thereafter until 1993. The project was expanded in 1987 with the brothers calling Bingo once a week to raise money for the shelter fund, which, by 1991, was raising almost $200 a week. After complaints about noise were made by nearby residents, the Anthony T. Migliore Pledge Class (spring 1991) constructed a sound barrier for the local shelter.
In the Fall of 1992, The Humane Society of Montgomery County was finally able to buy a new shelter. This new shelter was dedicated to our own charter member and Advisor, Dr. Stanley Huffman. In 1993, an infection caused all of the puppies at the shelter to become ill. Zeta Beta brothers helped bleach the walls and floor of the shelter to get rid of the bacteria responsible for the infection. This same year both Bingo and the yard sales were discontinued.
The Humane Society began running concession stands at home football and basketball games to raise funds. A thrift store run by the Humane Society was opened, and Alpha Phi Omega immediately began to lend its assistance. As their pledge class project, the Earle M. Herbert Pledge Class removed a shed from the property of the new shelter and assisted in the construction of a new shed.
In 1995, Zeta Beta participated in a pet food drive and attempted a "pets and people" program linked with Heritage Hall. In the Spring of 1996, ZB sponsored a benefit concert at The Top of the Stairs and raised nearly $1000 for the Humane Society. The check was presented to Ron Brown, the Humane Society Director, at the following brothers meeting.
As of the fall of 2004, the responsibilities of the Human Society were in their own separate category and no longer a part of the Etceteras category. This was also the semester when Zeta Beta began to visit the Giles County Humane Society, where the help was greatly needed.
Today, brothers mainly visit two animal shelters in the area: Giles County Animal Rescue and Pulaski County Humane Society. Although it isn't right in our backyard, brothers voluntarily make trips to each of these shelters every weekend during the school year. Who can't resist dogs in need of some love and attention?
K.I.D.S. Camp
K.I.D.S. Camp, which stands for Kids Involved In Doing Science, is a project which was started at Zeta Beta in fall 1996. It is a weekend long project where the chapter invites underprivileged fifth and sixth graders from the Blacksburg area to explore how fun learning about science can be. Brothers serve as camp counselors who chaperone the campers all weekend, providing them with friendship and leadership. Presenters from the community and Virginia Tech come to the camp to teach sessions that help the campers explore a variety of areas within the realm of science.
The presenters for the first K.I.D.S. Camp covered all areas of science. Brother Rhett Hudson conducted a session on "Engineering Elements," in which campers built load bearing structures out of toothpicks and kidney beans. Various groups from Virginia Tech presented sessions on Polymers (making gak), geology, forestry, mining, and electronics. All of the sessions were hands-on, including a lesson on astrology in a portable planetarium.
Brothers also served as operations staff, making sure the entire weekend ran smoothly for the over 50 campers and 70 brothers who participated. The camp serves as an inspirational and educational experience for the campers as well as the brothers. The goal is for the campers to learn that school and science is fun and to return to school eager to learn!
Knitting for Kittens
One of the most independent projects provided by Zeta Beta, members gather once or twice a semester to learn how to knit. They are given a pair of knitting needles and some yarn and are given a due date. Blankets in a multitude of colors are made in 12 inch by 12 inch squares and are then donated to the Giles County Humane Society to be used in the kitten cages for their comfort.
The Lyric*
We volunteer at the Lyric Theatre, providing assistance in working the concession stand and selling tickets to moviegoers.
Middle School Dances*
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega began to chaperone Blacksburg Middle School Dances at the Blacksburg Recreation Center. Brothers chaperone approximately 200 sixth through eighth graders once each month. Brothers serve refreshments, monitor the dance floor, game room, and gymnasium, and often demonstrate unique dance moves. In 1997 the recreation center started holding Middle School Skate Nights in addition to the dances, at which the brothers also volunteer as chaperones.
Miscellaneous Projects
Throughout ZB's history, there have been a variety of committee's and chairs used to handle all of the community projects which come up at random times but don't fit under any specific chair. Many of these projects come to Zeta Beta through the Voluntary Action Center (VAC), as well as Alpha Phi Omega Advisors and Tech faculty members. The first two such chairs were the Community Chair and the Outreach Chair. Some of the projects which fell under these chairs have ranged from painting and yard work to donations to local charitable organizations.
In 1952, a clothing drive was held December 9 through 15 to help the needy families in the community and the World Service Foundation. The next record of community outreach was in the fall of 1967, when the brothers cleaned up and restored a building in Christiansburg to be used as a day care center for underprivileged children. In the winter of 1967, the Zeta Beta brothers helped the Jaycees by refereeing Little League basketball games. Moving along into 1974, Alpha Phi Omega's participation in the Keep Montgomery County Clean campaign was recognized. Zeta Beta also donated usable books to the New River Community College at the end of Book Exchange.
In 1980, Zeta Beta brothers volunteered for the Virginia Mountain Housing Authority "winterizing" homes for the poor in the New River Valley under the organization of Carroll Wontrop. In the winter and spring of 1980, the brothers painted the new Blacksburg Library interior and helped move books from its previous home, the Municipal Building under the organization of Mary Jane Woebke. In 1981, the Zeta Beta brothers helped with the Y.M.C.A. Thrift Shop project under Amanda Allin. Since then donations have been given to the Thrift Shop periodically, including leftovers from the Book Exchange and yard sales.
In 1982, the brothers had a yard clean up at the Montgomery/Floyd County Shelter Home. From 1978-1982, Zeta Beta provided strong assistance to several area volunteer agencies. Projects included a clothing drive for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program and extensive repairs and painting at the Woman's Resource Center and the Christiansburg Community Center.
In 1983, the Community Committee organized a book sorting at the Blacksburg Library, and the fall pledge class helped out at the Montgomery County Mental Health Association by cleaning out a basement, sorting items, and building and painting shelves. The brotherhood also donated $50 to a clothing drive for the Salvation Army. In 1984, the brothers made Christmas wreaths for the community and donated $500 to the Montgomery County Christmas Store.
In the fall of 1985, heavy flooding necessitated a clean up at Camp Easter Seal. There was also a Claytor Lake clean up. Zeta Beta donated $200 to the Women's Resource Center to use toward machinery and minor repairs. The Outreach Committee aided the Blacksburg Transit system by donating child safety seats. In the spring of 1985, the brothers assisted at the Brush Mountain Craft Fair, a project which has continued over the years. In 1985-86, Zeta Beta donated $100 to help start a Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) program in the New River Valley.
In 1986, a book drive in the community donated books to Morocco through the Peace Corps. Alpha Phi Omega helped the Chi Delta Alpha service sorority by spreading publicity and collecting clothes for the Christmas Store. During fall of 1987, Alpha Phi Omega had a house painting with the Volunteer Home Repair Program in Christiansburg.
The Community Action and Community Outreach chairs were responsible for organizing random community projects until the 1988-89 school year. In 1988, a Chair called Saturday Specials was instituted. This chair became responsible for finding and organizing special projects on the weekends when a regular project wasn't already planned. Several projects which began as Saturday Specials, including Christmas Store and Ronald McDonald House, became so popular that they turned into regular projects. In the 92-93 school year, Saturday Specials was replaced with two similar chairs, Community Action and Etceteras, which encompassed all miscellaneous service projects, not only limited to the community. In 1993-94, there was both a Saturdays and an Etceteras and Community Action Chair. Throughout the 90s, these three chairs were sometimes combined, sometimes separate, depending on the needs of the fraternity, and typical projects included Habitat for Humanity, local Crafts Fairs, and the VT Women's Center.
One other notable project that the Etceteras Chairs supported was gaining interest and participating in Safari Hunt, which was sponsored by one of the social sororities (Alpha Delta Pi) on the campus of Virginia Tech. This philanthropy was in place and Brothers were actively involved during 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Pilot Street
This is a program based in Roanoke that helps refugees (mostly from Somali Bantu in East Africa) who were denied opportunities for education and economic development. We teach the adults, play with the little kids, throw a party, bring arts and crafts, and do whatever it takes to make the refugee families’ lives better and more meaningful in America.
Racing
Under the leadership of Hans Bernhardt, Alpha Phi Omega began marshaling road races in the New River Valley in 1990. Brothers acted as course marshals, water stop attendants, and timers for various races, including the Blacksburg Classic and Quigley Run. The Quigley is held in Christiansburg each year and was founded by Brother Moji Ijaz to benefit cancer research. Both races are very popular in Southwest Virginia and are still growing. The chapter also helped during the Tour DuPont bicycle race from 1992-1996 when the tour route came through Blacksburg. Alpha Phi Omega has been commended numerous times for its outstanding job in the course marshaling and race logistics. Brothers help out for four to five hours each race.
Recess Buddies*/Lunch Buddies*
Brothers volunteer at Harding Avenue Elementary School and play with the students during their recess (with activities including Red-Light, Green-Light, jumping rope, climbing the jungle gym and more) and chat with them during lunch. This provides the children with a college role model to interact with while at school.
Rebuilding Roanoke Together
2013 Zeta Beta started it's partnership with Roanoke Rescue Mission. Brothers often work all day Saturday to fix, build, and repair homes in the Roanoke area. Brothers will often return to the same house until it is finished.
Roanoke Rescue Mission*
The Roanoke Rescue Mission project was started in 2012 by VPS Jasmin Thomas. At the mission brothers volunteer in the kitchen serving food and washing dishes, in the women's shelter making beds, and at the thrift store sorting clothes. Brothers enjoy the chance to interact with the families the mission serves and the wonderful staff and volunteers.
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House project was started in 1988 by Saturday Specials Chair, Mark Sturm, whose family was involved with the house during their years in St. Louis. Approximately once a month, Zeta Beta sent two to three brothers to the house Saturday evenings to help with dinner and help out with household chores on Sunday. In 1990, Zeta Beta reduced its visits to six to ten hours one Sunday each month. That same year, Zeta Beta received a certificate of appreciation for providing 400-500 hours of service to re-carpet the house. In 1991, visits to the house were made weekly, and in 1995, ZB sold donuts with proceeds benefiting the house. Over the years, Zeta Beta has helped with packaging Christmas cards for sale to benefit the house, painting and doing house maintenance, yard work, washing vans, and moving furniture.
Senior Citizens*
Zeta Beta aids the elderly of our community by volunteering at the Heritage Hall Health Care Program and with Warm Hearth’s Kroontje Center. Since 1980, Alpha Phi Omega has visited the elderly residents and participated in many of their activities. These have included picnics, wheelchair square dancing, birthday parties, Bingo, Halloween parties, the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, and the wheelchair wash and repair run.
In Spring 1997, the Adult Day Care Center project was started by Heritage Hall chair Tara Byrne. Once a week, 2-3 brothers went to the Virginia Tech Adult Day Care Center in Wallace Hall to talk, play games, and socialize with the elderly at the center.
Scottie’s Place
Begun thanks to the help of Brother Katelyn Keefe, members of Zeta Beta travel at least once a semester to Scottie’s Place, a camp for children whose lives have been disrupted by homelessness. Brothers do not directly work with the children, but do much needed maintenance around the camp during the off-season, thus greatly improving the capabilities of the grounds for the campers. Each volunteer may bring a few dollars to also pay for a meal cooked by the owners of the camp.
SHARE
Zeta Beta has participated in SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) since it was founded in Virginia in 1984. This project provides about eighty dollars worth of food for 1/6 the price, once a month. Anyone is eligible to take advantage of this; all a recipient has to do is perform two service hours of community service. On the fourth Saturday of every month, brothers meet at 5:30 am and travel to the SHARE warehouse in nearby Pulaksi county. All the food is in bulk quantities and brothers must break them into smaller units to be picked up at various distribution points around Southwest Virginia. The majority of the food goes to various churches and charity groups in the area. Zeta Beta also recounts the food items at each pickup gate during the summer and during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
Special Olympics*
The combined efforts of Glenn Jesse, Joe Potter, Kenny Gauldin, Fred Linhoss, Wayne Thomas, and Joe Fugitt led to Zeta Beta's involvement with the local activities of Special Olympics in the early 1970s.
In the project's early history, brothers were involved in numerous winter and spring events, such as softball, bowling, basketball, and skiing. The main task of the brothers was to support and encourage the athletes in their development within the sport, and encourage to good sportsmanship and teamwork.
In 1983, the fraternity increased their support for this project by participating in Handicap Awareness Day. Also, in honor of Mental Health Month, the brothers held a poster contest for third graders in the local area. In the years following, the brotherhood's involvement with Special Olympics greatly increased due to the start of training courses for coaching Special O. Teams.
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega began volunteering at NRV Association for the Mentally Retarded (NRVAMR) events in addition to its continued support for Special Olympics. The fraternity sponsored dances at the Blacksburg Recreation Center for the AMR and provided food, chaperones, and plenty of good times. Alpha Phi Omega also helped AMR with horseback riding at the New River Training Stables. Brothers participated in a number of Special Olympic activities in 1989 as well, including Olympic Town, soccer, volleyball, and bowling.
From 1989-94, ZB continued to participate in the Special Olympics weekly bowling leagues. They also ran Olympic Town for the fall tournaments at Roanoke College and continued working at AMR theme dances during. In 1994, the chapter ran Olympic Town at the regional Track and Field Tournament at Radford College.
The year 1996 began Alpha Phi Omega's involvement with the winter basketball league and tournaments. That winter, ZB ran Olympic Town at the regional tournament here at Tech. The Olympic Town involved bingo, musical chairs, clowns, arts and crafts, and a juggler. In 1997, brothers were still involved with the basketball league, and several brothers participated in the tournament on unified Special Olympic teams. The fraternity also sponsored a team during that tournament, making encouragement signs and serving as a cheering crowd.
During 1996-98 as well as 2008-2010, ZB has also participated in walking, volleyball, and bowling leagues. Several brothers have participated in and traveled to various state and regional tournaments to compete with their unified teams. These leagues have added a new active dimension to Zeta Beta's long-time involvement with Special Olympics.
Superbowl Food Drive
In the spring of 1998, Brother Kevin Menard organized a flag football game between Zeta Beta and Circle K, another service organization on campus. In order to be eligible to play, both teams had to donate non-perishable food items. All of the donations were given to the Women's Center. This event was changed to Trick-or-Treat for Cans in the following fall semesters and is currently a big favorite of the Chapter. See Trick-or-Treat for Cans.
Tekoa Pen Pals
The Brothers of Zeta Beta provide a pen pal program with Tekoa, a residential facility for adolescents in the New River Valley. Tekoa provides treatment, special education and transitional services to teens with problems at home, at school or in the community. Zeta Beta writes monthly letters to residents at the girl’s facility. In addition, Brothers visit the girls for walks around their property, game nights and arts-and-crafts projects. In Fall of 2007, the Brothers of Zeta Beta began visiting with the boys of Tekoa playing games and inviting them to campus to hold cook-outs and have a fun time hanging out together. It is hoped that through this correspondence, these girls will be given not only someone to talk to, but the positive role models inherent in every Brother of Alpha Phi Omega.
Trick-or-Treat for Cans*
Everyone remembers about feeding the homeless around Thanksgiving, but those in need are hungry all year round. Fraternity members go door-to-door asking for the community to donate cans during one weekend of October for the local food banks.
Tutoring/Literacy/Homework Help*
Since 1985, brothers have volunteered time at Blacksburg High School and Middle School to help tutor in a variety of academic areas. In 1988, Alpha Phi Omega began assisting with Upward Bound, a federal program which serves students whose parents fall below a specific economic bracket or whose parents never attended college. Brothers assisted the teachers, giving one-on-one attention to the participants. Upward Bound has consistently served 250 students per session. Brothers also began working with the Adult Literacy program of the New River Valley in 1992. During 1993-94, Brothers read stories twice a month to children at Harding Avenue Elementary and were televised on the local access channel.
During the summer of 1991, in accordance with the fraternity's National program of emphasis, literacy education, Zeta Beta created the Literacy Education Chair. From 1991-1994, brothers worked with the Literacy Volunteers of America, the Minerva tutoring program, and The Odyssey of the Mind competition.
Now, APO helps K-12 students with their homework, such as math and reading, at Christiansburg Community Center on Thursday evenings each week during the semester. Brothers also volunteer at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School and help the students with their schoolwork.
Well Baby Clinic
In 1990, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Director of Student Health Services, asked Brother Mike Bradley to recruit brothers for a Well Baby Clinic she was beginning for children of graduate students. The clinic was held on the third of each month. Brothers went through a training program and worked at six different stations. These were Information Desk Intake, Measurements, M.D. assistant, Denver Development Screening Test, and Lab assistant. This project was chaired by Mike Bradley from 1990 until it was discontinued in 1992.
Wildlife Rescue
Wildlife Rescue was an immediate hit with the Brothers and Pledges when it was started in Fall 2006. Five members drive to an area around Roanoke, Virginia, to help feed, clean and rehabilitate several of the animals taken into protection by the Society. Animals can include deer, skunks, wolves, turtles, squirrels, rabbits, hares and cats.
Women’s Center
Throughout many events, from fundraising to room painting and decorating to donating household items, Zeta Beta has helped the area’s Women’s Center in so many ways. Each semester presents a multitude of events in which anyone in the fraternity can participate, whether male or female.
Woodcutting
Traditionally associated with National Service Day, Woodcutting became a separate service project in 1990. Instead of one day a year, brothers meet several Saturdays during the fall for a day of chopping wood for MCEAAP.
(Organized Alphabetically)
*currently a service project in 2013
Asthma Walk
Most Fall semesters, since 2004, Brothers and Pledges have raised money to participate in the Asthma Walk in Roanoke, Virginia through a walking trail. Radio stations, families and other organizations walk to find a cure and raise awareness for asthma.
Babysitting
In 1990, Alpha Phi Omega began providing babysitting services during meetings of various community groups in Christiansburg and Blacksburg, including AA and Head Start. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program which provides low income preschool age children with a variety of experiences to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Each month parents participate in training sessions in Christiansburg which are sponsored by New River Community Action. While parents attended meetings, Alpha Phi Omega brothers provided babysitting services. In 1991 to 1992, almost every second Wednesday of each month, four to six Zeta Beta brothers would go to the Head Start office in Christiansburg and watch six to twenty children for two to three hours.
Best Buddies*
Brothers volunteer with the residents of Fairview Home by providing company and comfort for them. Activities range from playing board games to card games or just having conversation with the elderly.
Big Event*
Every spring semester, Virginia Tech hosts a community wide service project to give back to the local Blacksburg and Christiansburg communities. There are a number of different organizations that participate in the event. For the 2010 Big Event, Brothers of Zeta Beta went around to local streets and cleaned up the trash and other items left on the streets. The Big Event is a great project not only to help the community out and show thanks for all the support they have given the Virginia Tech campus, but is also a great bonding experience for the Brothers.
Bingo*
In 2006 Zeta Beta got involved with Warm Hearth Village’s Bingo program on Friday afternoons. The project has always had great attendance and is a time that the Brothers get to keep the elderly company and to share stories. The Brothers are also willing to help at other service projects needed by Warm Hearth. The residents really enjoy the company and look forward to seeing the brothers at Bingo each week, but watch out! They can get pretty competitive, especially when prizes are involved!
Blacksburg/Christiansburg Community Youth*
Zeta Beta brothers have always been concerned with the youth in our area. In 1967,the chapter was involved with assisting the Jaycees with the Sandlot Program at the Christiansburg Child Day Care Center.
In 1970, Zeta Beta donated $250.99 of the Book Exchange earnings to the Bellview Elementary School for playground equipment. Again, in the 1971-72 school year, a contribution was made to Bellview Elementary school to purchase new Ecology books. This donation was made in memory of Prof. Buford Blair, who contributed 82 service hours that spring.
In 1982, youth-oriented projects included a Halloween party for the Headstart Program and a new tutoring program at Blacksburg High School. In 1984-85, the chapter put on a Halloween party at the Shawsville Elementary School. In 1985, several donations were made by the Zeta Beta chapter including $200 to help pay for a play performed at Harding Elementary School on child abuse and children's rights, $100 to a program which educated parents of retarded children on how to encourage learning, and $100 to S.A.D.D. (Students Against Drunk Driving) for publicity on alcohol awareness education. Since 1985, the chapter has helped marshal the Blacksburg Christmas Parade. In 1987, Saturday Specials Chair Keith Lang led the brothers in setting up and running a haunted house and Halloween carnival for the Shawsville Elementary School. The theme was "Frankenstein's Castle," and it was a huge success! Brothers have also participated in various activities in connection with the Big Brother/Big Sister program.
In the Fall of 2004 and Spring of 2005, the Middle School Dance Chairs were called “Youth Chairs.” They took care of the Middle School Dances and other youth events, aside from Tutoring.
Aside from the variety of one time projects, Zeta Beta also helps the community youth through a number of ongoing projects.
Bloodmobile
Zeta Beta's commitment to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile began on April 19, 1951. The successful collection of 197 pints on that day showed our chapter that this would be one of our biggest projects. The next drive, held on November 26, 1951, collected 193 pints.
The lengths of the drives were increased to two days in the fall of 1952. They were again increased from two to three days in the spring of 1953 through 1957.
In 1969-70, a rotating plaque was initiated which would be awarded to the campus organization with the highest percentage of donors at each drive. The organization with the highest percentage for the entire year would also be presented with a keg of beer. Each quarter during the year the plaque was won by Sigma Mu Sigma, who was awarded their keg of beer at the end of the year.
During the fall quarter of 1972, 701 pints of blood were collected and over 150 hours of service were given. Six other campus organizations were involved by providing practical help. Virginia Tech was one of the few schools where intramural points were awarded to organizations for blood donations during this time.
The Silver Anniversary Year of 1973 began with a tremendously successful Bloodmobile visit in January, topping all previous records for pints collected in both the one-day and two-day categories.
The expanded blood program proved to be quite successful. On November 21, 1975, 532 pints were collected, a new single day record. During the 1976-77 school ear, Alpha Phi Omega began "Blood Sits", a way of scheduling donors to avoid the long waits. The Red Cross pushed for more frequent visits with shorter days that year.
According to the Red Cross, the fall of 1977 was a "perfect visit." Zeta Beta exceeded the quota of 250 pints per day for the three day visit. During the winter of 1978, the Bloodmobile at Tech was providing blood for much of the east coast due to damaging snowstorms.
In 1986-87, Dan Abushanab invented "Mr. Hemoglobin", where a brother would dress up like a "blood bag" and walk around campus announcing that Bloodmobile was in town.
Competitions were routinely held between residence halls, fraternities, and other organizations for the highest percentage of donors and the highest percentage of first-time donors. On February 19-21, 1990, the Bloodmobile collected 470 pints of blood even though Virginia Tech was being rocked by an Influenza epidemic.
In 1992, the 100,000th pint of blood was collected at Alpha Phi Omega-sponsored Bloodmobiles at Virginia Tech. For two of the Bloodmobiles, brothers again dressed up as Mr. Hemoglobin to promote Bloodmobile. On February 14, 1994, the American Red Cross presented a plaque to each of the winners in donor contests throughout the year.
On December 8, 1994, the Red Cross officially opened a new blood donor center in downtown Blacksburg. Quotas for each visit of the Bloodmobile to campus were reduced to reflect the presence of the donor center.
In 1995-96, Bloodmobile began calling donors to remind them of upcoming appointments. Contact was also established with the Panhellenic Council to encourage Greek organizations to become more involved with blood donation.
Virginia Tech provides an average of over 3000 units of blood each year, and is the largest single source of blood in the region thanks to the continued efforts of the brothers of Zeta Beta.
In 1998-99, APO began sharing the duties of Bloodmobile with other organizations. All of the responsibilities including; bloodsits, working at the greeter table, donor aiding, and canteen are done in a cooperative effort with groups like RHF, Panhalenic Council, Student Alumni Association, and the Intrafraternal Council.
Currently the brothers do not organize any events for blood drives other than simply encouraging brothers to go.
Blood Sits
Brothers help promote an upcoming Blood Drive by manning Blood Sits tables around campus areas like the Drillfield or Squires Student Center. By handing out fliers or speaking with students that pass by, APO plays a major part in helping the Red Cross recruit blood donation. Students may sign up for a date and time to donate blood during the Bloodmobile. Blood Sits is also a good way to advertise APO to potential members.
Detention Center
In 1980, Zeta Beta brothers started to make visits to the New River Valley Juvenile Detention Home. The brothers would spend time with juveniles at the Center, playing games, having fun, and acting as good role models for them. In the Spring of 1986, a slave sale raised $200 which went to buy a Foozball table for the Detention Center. Due to lack of interest in this project, it was placed under Etceteras in 1997.
Dodgeball and Volleyball
Each week APO brothers volunteer to referee dodgeball and volleyball games for the community at the Blacksburg Community Center.
Environmental Awareness/Adopt-a-Highway*
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega decided to play a more active role in preserving the environment. A one-mile section of Route 460 in Christiansburg was adopted by Zeta Beta as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program. Cleanups of this section are done throughout the semester and have uncovered such objects as mattresses, a stereo, a washing machine, and the hood of a truck. In 1990, a recycling program was set up in conjunction with the Ecocycle program in McBryde. Alpha Phi Omega received $50 a month for its recycling. Alpha Phi Omega also continued to participate in the Broomin' and Bloomin' cleanup of Montgomery County. In 1991, Alpha Phi Omega had the highest volunteer turnout and also found the largest piece of trash: a motorcycle. Also in 1991 an Environmental Awareness chair was established to oversee all environment related projects. Beginning in 1993, Alpha Phi Omega has helped Ecocycle with Earth Fest, a celebration of Earth Day. In the fall of 1993, Zeta Beta coordinated a regional gathering of chapters to help clean up Claytor Lake State Park. Also in the fall of 1993, a new project, Pamplin Recycling, was started. This entailed collecting paper from each office in the Pamplin College of Business each week and then recycling the paper.
Throughout the 1990s, Alpha Phi Omega continued its involvement in the Adopt-A-Highway program and Bloomin and Bloomin', as well as participating in a variety of other projects throughout the New River Valley. Some of the locations where the chapter has volunteered our time include Falls Ridge Creek Nature Preserve, Pandappas Pond, Claytor Lake, the New River, and the campus of Virginia Tech.
In the Fall of 2008 Recycling was discontinued by the University and Zeta Beta was no longer able to participate.
Food Bank*
Twice a month brothers volunteer at the food bank in Christiansburg by helping distribute food to low-income families.
Habitat for Humanity*
A couple of times a semester we volunteer in Roanoke with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Framing, insulating, painting, roofing, and flooring are the many types of work that can be expected while volunteering with Habitat.
Humane Society
In 1984, Zeta Beta held a yard sale and donated the proceeds to the Humane Society, and thus began a new project. In 1985, the yard sale was held once again and every year thereafter until 1993. The project was expanded in 1987 with the brothers calling Bingo once a week to raise money for the shelter fund, which, by 1991, was raising almost $200 a week. After complaints about noise were made by nearby residents, the Anthony T. Migliore Pledge Class (spring 1991) constructed a sound barrier for the local shelter.
In the Fall of 1992, The Humane Society of Montgomery County was finally able to buy a new shelter. This new shelter was dedicated to our own charter member and Advisor, Dr. Stanley Huffman. In 1993, an infection caused all of the puppies at the shelter to become ill. Zeta Beta brothers helped bleach the walls and floor of the shelter to get rid of the bacteria responsible for the infection. This same year both Bingo and the yard sales were discontinued.
The Humane Society began running concession stands at home football and basketball games to raise funds. A thrift store run by the Humane Society was opened, and Alpha Phi Omega immediately began to lend its assistance. As their pledge class project, the Earle M. Herbert Pledge Class removed a shed from the property of the new shelter and assisted in the construction of a new shed.
In 1995, Zeta Beta participated in a pet food drive and attempted a "pets and people" program linked with Heritage Hall. In the Spring of 1996, ZB sponsored a benefit concert at The Top of the Stairs and raised nearly $1000 for the Humane Society. The check was presented to Ron Brown, the Humane Society Director, at the following brothers meeting.
As of the fall of 2004, the responsibilities of the Human Society were in their own separate category and no longer a part of the Etceteras category. This was also the semester when Zeta Beta began to visit the Giles County Humane Society, where the help was greatly needed.
Today, brothers mainly visit two animal shelters in the area: Giles County Animal Rescue and Pulaski County Humane Society. Although it isn't right in our backyard, brothers voluntarily make trips to each of these shelters every weekend during the school year. Who can't resist dogs in need of some love and attention?
K.I.D.S. Camp
K.I.D.S. Camp, which stands for Kids Involved In Doing Science, is a project which was started at Zeta Beta in fall 1996. It is a weekend long project where the chapter invites underprivileged fifth and sixth graders from the Blacksburg area to explore how fun learning about science can be. Brothers serve as camp counselors who chaperone the campers all weekend, providing them with friendship and leadership. Presenters from the community and Virginia Tech come to the camp to teach sessions that help the campers explore a variety of areas within the realm of science.
The presenters for the first K.I.D.S. Camp covered all areas of science. Brother Rhett Hudson conducted a session on "Engineering Elements," in which campers built load bearing structures out of toothpicks and kidney beans. Various groups from Virginia Tech presented sessions on Polymers (making gak), geology, forestry, mining, and electronics. All of the sessions were hands-on, including a lesson on astrology in a portable planetarium.
Brothers also served as operations staff, making sure the entire weekend ran smoothly for the over 50 campers and 70 brothers who participated. The camp serves as an inspirational and educational experience for the campers as well as the brothers. The goal is for the campers to learn that school and science is fun and to return to school eager to learn!
Knitting for Kittens
One of the most independent projects provided by Zeta Beta, members gather once or twice a semester to learn how to knit. They are given a pair of knitting needles and some yarn and are given a due date. Blankets in a multitude of colors are made in 12 inch by 12 inch squares and are then donated to the Giles County Humane Society to be used in the kitten cages for their comfort.
The Lyric*
We volunteer at the Lyric Theatre, providing assistance in working the concession stand and selling tickets to moviegoers.
Middle School Dances*
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega began to chaperone Blacksburg Middle School Dances at the Blacksburg Recreation Center. Brothers chaperone approximately 200 sixth through eighth graders once each month. Brothers serve refreshments, monitor the dance floor, game room, and gymnasium, and often demonstrate unique dance moves. In 1997 the recreation center started holding Middle School Skate Nights in addition to the dances, at which the brothers also volunteer as chaperones.
Miscellaneous Projects
Throughout ZB's history, there have been a variety of committee's and chairs used to handle all of the community projects which come up at random times but don't fit under any specific chair. Many of these projects come to Zeta Beta through the Voluntary Action Center (VAC), as well as Alpha Phi Omega Advisors and Tech faculty members. The first two such chairs were the Community Chair and the Outreach Chair. Some of the projects which fell under these chairs have ranged from painting and yard work to donations to local charitable organizations.
In 1952, a clothing drive was held December 9 through 15 to help the needy families in the community and the World Service Foundation. The next record of community outreach was in the fall of 1967, when the brothers cleaned up and restored a building in Christiansburg to be used as a day care center for underprivileged children. In the winter of 1967, the Zeta Beta brothers helped the Jaycees by refereeing Little League basketball games. Moving along into 1974, Alpha Phi Omega's participation in the Keep Montgomery County Clean campaign was recognized. Zeta Beta also donated usable books to the New River Community College at the end of Book Exchange.
In 1980, Zeta Beta brothers volunteered for the Virginia Mountain Housing Authority "winterizing" homes for the poor in the New River Valley under the organization of Carroll Wontrop. In the winter and spring of 1980, the brothers painted the new Blacksburg Library interior and helped move books from its previous home, the Municipal Building under the organization of Mary Jane Woebke. In 1981, the Zeta Beta brothers helped with the Y.M.C.A. Thrift Shop project under Amanda Allin. Since then donations have been given to the Thrift Shop periodically, including leftovers from the Book Exchange and yard sales.
In 1982, the brothers had a yard clean up at the Montgomery/Floyd County Shelter Home. From 1978-1982, Zeta Beta provided strong assistance to several area volunteer agencies. Projects included a clothing drive for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program and extensive repairs and painting at the Woman's Resource Center and the Christiansburg Community Center.
In 1983, the Community Committee organized a book sorting at the Blacksburg Library, and the fall pledge class helped out at the Montgomery County Mental Health Association by cleaning out a basement, sorting items, and building and painting shelves. The brotherhood also donated $50 to a clothing drive for the Salvation Army. In 1984, the brothers made Christmas wreaths for the community and donated $500 to the Montgomery County Christmas Store.
In the fall of 1985, heavy flooding necessitated a clean up at Camp Easter Seal. There was also a Claytor Lake clean up. Zeta Beta donated $200 to the Women's Resource Center to use toward machinery and minor repairs. The Outreach Committee aided the Blacksburg Transit system by donating child safety seats. In the spring of 1985, the brothers assisted at the Brush Mountain Craft Fair, a project which has continued over the years. In 1985-86, Zeta Beta donated $100 to help start a Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) program in the New River Valley.
In 1986, a book drive in the community donated books to Morocco through the Peace Corps. Alpha Phi Omega helped the Chi Delta Alpha service sorority by spreading publicity and collecting clothes for the Christmas Store. During fall of 1987, Alpha Phi Omega had a house painting with the Volunteer Home Repair Program in Christiansburg.
The Community Action and Community Outreach chairs were responsible for organizing random community projects until the 1988-89 school year. In 1988, a Chair called Saturday Specials was instituted. This chair became responsible for finding and organizing special projects on the weekends when a regular project wasn't already planned. Several projects which began as Saturday Specials, including Christmas Store and Ronald McDonald House, became so popular that they turned into regular projects. In the 92-93 school year, Saturday Specials was replaced with two similar chairs, Community Action and Etceteras, which encompassed all miscellaneous service projects, not only limited to the community. In 1993-94, there was both a Saturdays and an Etceteras and Community Action Chair. Throughout the 90s, these three chairs were sometimes combined, sometimes separate, depending on the needs of the fraternity, and typical projects included Habitat for Humanity, local Crafts Fairs, and the VT Women's Center.
One other notable project that the Etceteras Chairs supported was gaining interest and participating in Safari Hunt, which was sponsored by one of the social sororities (Alpha Delta Pi) on the campus of Virginia Tech. This philanthropy was in place and Brothers were actively involved during 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Pilot Street
This is a program based in Roanoke that helps refugees (mostly from Somali Bantu in East Africa) who were denied opportunities for education and economic development. We teach the adults, play with the little kids, throw a party, bring arts and crafts, and do whatever it takes to make the refugee families’ lives better and more meaningful in America.
Racing
Under the leadership of Hans Bernhardt, Alpha Phi Omega began marshaling road races in the New River Valley in 1990. Brothers acted as course marshals, water stop attendants, and timers for various races, including the Blacksburg Classic and Quigley Run. The Quigley is held in Christiansburg each year and was founded by Brother Moji Ijaz to benefit cancer research. Both races are very popular in Southwest Virginia and are still growing. The chapter also helped during the Tour DuPont bicycle race from 1992-1996 when the tour route came through Blacksburg. Alpha Phi Omega has been commended numerous times for its outstanding job in the course marshaling and race logistics. Brothers help out for four to five hours each race.
Recess Buddies*/Lunch Buddies*
Brothers volunteer at Harding Avenue Elementary School and play with the students during their recess (with activities including Red-Light, Green-Light, jumping rope, climbing the jungle gym and more) and chat with them during lunch. This provides the children with a college role model to interact with while at school.
Rebuilding Roanoke Together
2013 Zeta Beta started it's partnership with Roanoke Rescue Mission. Brothers often work all day Saturday to fix, build, and repair homes in the Roanoke area. Brothers will often return to the same house until it is finished.
Roanoke Rescue Mission*
The Roanoke Rescue Mission project was started in 2012 by VPS Jasmin Thomas. At the mission brothers volunteer in the kitchen serving food and washing dishes, in the women's shelter making beds, and at the thrift store sorting clothes. Brothers enjoy the chance to interact with the families the mission serves and the wonderful staff and volunteers.
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House project was started in 1988 by Saturday Specials Chair, Mark Sturm, whose family was involved with the house during their years in St. Louis. Approximately once a month, Zeta Beta sent two to three brothers to the house Saturday evenings to help with dinner and help out with household chores on Sunday. In 1990, Zeta Beta reduced its visits to six to ten hours one Sunday each month. That same year, Zeta Beta received a certificate of appreciation for providing 400-500 hours of service to re-carpet the house. In 1991, visits to the house were made weekly, and in 1995, ZB sold donuts with proceeds benefiting the house. Over the years, Zeta Beta has helped with packaging Christmas cards for sale to benefit the house, painting and doing house maintenance, yard work, washing vans, and moving furniture.
Senior Citizens*
Zeta Beta aids the elderly of our community by volunteering at the Heritage Hall Health Care Program and with Warm Hearth’s Kroontje Center. Since 1980, Alpha Phi Omega has visited the elderly residents and participated in many of their activities. These have included picnics, wheelchair square dancing, birthday parties, Bingo, Halloween parties, the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, and the wheelchair wash and repair run.
In Spring 1997, the Adult Day Care Center project was started by Heritage Hall chair Tara Byrne. Once a week, 2-3 brothers went to the Virginia Tech Adult Day Care Center in Wallace Hall to talk, play games, and socialize with the elderly at the center.
Scottie’s Place
Begun thanks to the help of Brother Katelyn Keefe, members of Zeta Beta travel at least once a semester to Scottie’s Place, a camp for children whose lives have been disrupted by homelessness. Brothers do not directly work with the children, but do much needed maintenance around the camp during the off-season, thus greatly improving the capabilities of the grounds for the campers. Each volunteer may bring a few dollars to also pay for a meal cooked by the owners of the camp.
SHARE
Zeta Beta has participated in SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) since it was founded in Virginia in 1984. This project provides about eighty dollars worth of food for 1/6 the price, once a month. Anyone is eligible to take advantage of this; all a recipient has to do is perform two service hours of community service. On the fourth Saturday of every month, brothers meet at 5:30 am and travel to the SHARE warehouse in nearby Pulaksi county. All the food is in bulk quantities and brothers must break them into smaller units to be picked up at various distribution points around Southwest Virginia. The majority of the food goes to various churches and charity groups in the area. Zeta Beta also recounts the food items at each pickup gate during the summer and during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
Special Olympics*
The combined efforts of Glenn Jesse, Joe Potter, Kenny Gauldin, Fred Linhoss, Wayne Thomas, and Joe Fugitt led to Zeta Beta's involvement with the local activities of Special Olympics in the early 1970s.
In the project's early history, brothers were involved in numerous winter and spring events, such as softball, bowling, basketball, and skiing. The main task of the brothers was to support and encourage the athletes in their development within the sport, and encourage to good sportsmanship and teamwork.
In 1983, the fraternity increased their support for this project by participating in Handicap Awareness Day. Also, in honor of Mental Health Month, the brothers held a poster contest for third graders in the local area. In the years following, the brotherhood's involvement with Special Olympics greatly increased due to the start of training courses for coaching Special O. Teams.
In 1989, Alpha Phi Omega began volunteering at NRV Association for the Mentally Retarded (NRVAMR) events in addition to its continued support for Special Olympics. The fraternity sponsored dances at the Blacksburg Recreation Center for the AMR and provided food, chaperones, and plenty of good times. Alpha Phi Omega also helped AMR with horseback riding at the New River Training Stables. Brothers participated in a number of Special Olympic activities in 1989 as well, including Olympic Town, soccer, volleyball, and bowling.
From 1989-94, ZB continued to participate in the Special Olympics weekly bowling leagues. They also ran Olympic Town for the fall tournaments at Roanoke College and continued working at AMR theme dances during. In 1994, the chapter ran Olympic Town at the regional Track and Field Tournament at Radford College.
The year 1996 began Alpha Phi Omega's involvement with the winter basketball league and tournaments. That winter, ZB ran Olympic Town at the regional tournament here at Tech. The Olympic Town involved bingo, musical chairs, clowns, arts and crafts, and a juggler. In 1997, brothers were still involved with the basketball league, and several brothers participated in the tournament on unified Special Olympic teams. The fraternity also sponsored a team during that tournament, making encouragement signs and serving as a cheering crowd.
During 1996-98 as well as 2008-2010, ZB has also participated in walking, volleyball, and bowling leagues. Several brothers have participated in and traveled to various state and regional tournaments to compete with their unified teams. These leagues have added a new active dimension to Zeta Beta's long-time involvement with Special Olympics.
Superbowl Food Drive
In the spring of 1998, Brother Kevin Menard organized a flag football game between Zeta Beta and Circle K, another service organization on campus. In order to be eligible to play, both teams had to donate non-perishable food items. All of the donations were given to the Women's Center. This event was changed to Trick-or-Treat for Cans in the following fall semesters and is currently a big favorite of the Chapter. See Trick-or-Treat for Cans.
Tekoa Pen Pals
The Brothers of Zeta Beta provide a pen pal program with Tekoa, a residential facility for adolescents in the New River Valley. Tekoa provides treatment, special education and transitional services to teens with problems at home, at school or in the community. Zeta Beta writes monthly letters to residents at the girl’s facility. In addition, Brothers visit the girls for walks around their property, game nights and arts-and-crafts projects. In Fall of 2007, the Brothers of Zeta Beta began visiting with the boys of Tekoa playing games and inviting them to campus to hold cook-outs and have a fun time hanging out together. It is hoped that through this correspondence, these girls will be given not only someone to talk to, but the positive role models inherent in every Brother of Alpha Phi Omega.
Trick-or-Treat for Cans*
Everyone remembers about feeding the homeless around Thanksgiving, but those in need are hungry all year round. Fraternity members go door-to-door asking for the community to donate cans during one weekend of October for the local food banks.
Tutoring/Literacy/Homework Help*
Since 1985, brothers have volunteered time at Blacksburg High School and Middle School to help tutor in a variety of academic areas. In 1988, Alpha Phi Omega began assisting with Upward Bound, a federal program which serves students whose parents fall below a specific economic bracket or whose parents never attended college. Brothers assisted the teachers, giving one-on-one attention to the participants. Upward Bound has consistently served 250 students per session. Brothers also began working with the Adult Literacy program of the New River Valley in 1992. During 1993-94, Brothers read stories twice a month to children at Harding Avenue Elementary and were televised on the local access channel.
During the summer of 1991, in accordance with the fraternity's National program of emphasis, literacy education, Zeta Beta created the Literacy Education Chair. From 1991-1994, brothers worked with the Literacy Volunteers of America, the Minerva tutoring program, and The Odyssey of the Mind competition.
Now, APO helps K-12 students with their homework, such as math and reading, at Christiansburg Community Center on Thursday evenings each week during the semester. Brothers also volunteer at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School and help the students with their schoolwork.
Well Baby Clinic
In 1990, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Director of Student Health Services, asked Brother Mike Bradley to recruit brothers for a Well Baby Clinic she was beginning for children of graduate students. The clinic was held on the third of each month. Brothers went through a training program and worked at six different stations. These were Information Desk Intake, Measurements, M.D. assistant, Denver Development Screening Test, and Lab assistant. This project was chaired by Mike Bradley from 1990 until it was discontinued in 1992.
Wildlife Rescue
Wildlife Rescue was an immediate hit with the Brothers and Pledges when it was started in Fall 2006. Five members drive to an area around Roanoke, Virginia, to help feed, clean and rehabilitate several of the animals taken into protection by the Society. Animals can include deer, skunks, wolves, turtles, squirrels, rabbits, hares and cats.
Women’s Center
Throughout many events, from fundraising to room painting and decorating to donating household items, Zeta Beta has helped the area’s Women’s Center in so many ways. Each semester presents a multitude of events in which anyone in the fraternity can participate, whether male or female.
Woodcutting
Traditionally associated with National Service Day, Woodcutting became a separate service project in 1990. Instead of one day a year, brothers meet several Saturdays during the fall for a day of chopping wood for MCEAAP.