Service

Probably one of the most important aspects of Alpha Phi Omega, and one of the main reasons people join, is the service that its members perform. There are four areas of service: Campus, Community, Nation, Fraternity. All members, both pledges and brothers, must complete 20 hours each semester. There are some service projects that are run on a continuous, consistent basis, such as Frank's Troop and Prison Book. There are some projects that happen sporadically in both semesters. There are some major projects that come only once a year.

Regulars

Frank's Troop
Frank's Troop, Boy Scout Troop 11, is a special needs troop geared toward boys and men with disabilities. Troop 11 meets every Wednesday night from 7:00 - 8:30pm at St. John's Episcopal Church on Rte. 9 in Northampton.

Frank's Troop with a parachute, Fall 2007

Prison Book Project
The Prison Book Project meets every week to put together care packages for prisoners in Texas and Massachusetts. The prisoners send letters to the project asking for books, and we find matches in a church library full of donated books. Prison Book meets every Sunday from 1-4 at Congregational Church on 243 River Road (Rte 47) in North Hadley.

Security
When a local RSO or other group on campus has a large event that needs security, APO will come and help. Though there is also a police presence, APO usually helps watch entrances and exits, take tickets, and act as eyes and ears. Because APO is doing security, all members of the RSO hosting the event can participate, without having to stand outside and miss time at the event. Security events happen during both semesters, but only when an RSO or group needs us.

Security, Fall 2007 _____
Security Events Fall 2007

Annual Events

Spring

Merit Badge University
Merit Badge University is a gathering of Boy Scouts from the local council. APO members and local Scout Leaders come to UMass to teach many different merit badges, especially ones that cannot be found in a summer camp. Badges include Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship of the World, Indian Lore, Nuclear Energy, Family Life, and others. There are two days of MBU, and all participating scouts must attend both days.

Locks of Love
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that takes donated hair and makes it into wigs for cancer patients. Local hair sylists and barbers donate their time to cut hair of anyone on campus who wants to donate. APO members will not only be planning and organizing this event, but many members will also be donating their own hair. Any one interested must have at least 10 inches of hair to donate.

Relay for Life
Relay for Life is a national charity event. At UMass, many fraternities and sororities, as well as otehr groups, participate in relay. For relay, members go around to friends and family asking for pledging donations. Then for 18 hours, Alpha Phi Omega, along with every other group, must walk around a local running track. At least two members must remain on the track at all times. All proceeds from Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society.

Staying Warm at Relay For Life, Spring 2005 Trying to find a cure, Relay for Life, Spring 2005
|---------------------------------------Relay 2005---------------------------------------|

Boston Marathon
Each year, Alpha Phi Omega travels to Boston to help out with the Boston Marathon. Sometime in the morning, the runners all run by our water station, where we hand them cups of water. We also all get nifty jackets--for free!

Boston Marathon, Spring 2004 ______________ Boston Marathon, Spring 2005
Boston Marathon 2004______________________________________Boston Marathon 2005

Fill-A-Bus
Fill-A-Bus is an event held at the end of every academic year. APO hires a bus from the university and, on a few days near finals, parks it at different locations around campus. Students then fill the bus with anything that they would like to donate.

Click here for information about the Spring 2008 Fill-A-Bus.

A newspaper clipping about Fill-a-Bus, Spring 2004
Article about Fill-A-Bus in 2004

Fall

Mercy House Free Rides
Make a Difference Day

Other

Here are some other projects we have done recently:

Canning for a Charity
Clean Local Shop Windows
Raking Leaves for the Elderly
Habitat for Humanity
Pass out Candy on Halloween
Blood Drives
Special Olympics Bowling

Special

Casino Night - an old KO tradition, the Casino Night was a fun way to both help the chapter and to bring attention to APO. Details are still being worked on. Click here for more information.