ALPHA CHI OMEGA RAISES AWARENESS THROUGH LUMINARY PROJECT
On October 16, 2006, the Gamma Rho chapter of Alpha Chi Omega displayed luminaries on Greek Circle to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to raise funds for the Lubbock area Women's Protective Services. Below is an article by Katie Harris of The Daily Torreader.
One thousand lights, one cause
Katie Harris
Issue date: 10/13/06 Section: La Vida
One thousand luminaries will be lit on the walkways of houses in Greek Circle
to support Alpha Chi Omega's Shedding the Light on Domestic Violence event.
The event goes along with Texas Tech's domestic violence week beginning Monday and ending Oct. 20, Megan Huntoon, Alpha Chi Omega president said.
Rosemarie Frezza, a junior public relations major from Austin, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
"The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of domestic violence and help our national philanthropy, Women's Protective Services." Frezza said.
All of the affiliations on Greek Circle each bought 50 bags with candles in them. The bags are purple and white, symbolizing the colors of Women's Protective Services, and the candles will be lit by the Alpha Chi Omega senior class, she said.
Jane Holloway, a junior business major from Houston, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
"I think it is a wonderful thing we do," Holloway said. "Domestic violence happens to people you know, that you don't even know it's happening to."
Huntoon, a senior public relations major from Spring, said she believes the general public might not understand who is affected by domestic violence.
"This is a great way to let the community know Greek-wide we are aware of this problem," Huntoon said. "We would like to help make people aware so violence doesn't happen."
Alpha Chi Omega raised $600 selling the candles and bags within the Greek community. Most of the proceeds will go to the Lubbock area Women's Protective Services shelter to buy blankets for fall and winter, she said. The rest of the proceeds will go toward buying the luminaries.
Other chapters of Alpha Chi Omega host similar events to bring awareness of the domestic violence issue, Huntoon said.
"We decided to start it because we think it is an issue that doesn't get talked about enough in Lubbock," she said.
Women and possibly children have to leave the abusive situation quickly, Huntoon said, so the sorority is doing their part to donate to the shelter.
The event is conducted to make men understand they can get involved and also help with the issue.
The event will be at 7 p.m. Monday on Greek Circle.
"We are holding it at that time so as people get out of their (chapter) meetings, they will be able to see the lit walkways," Frezza said.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline Web site at http://www.ndvh.org,
abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or
threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors
that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame,
injure or wound someone. For more information on how to get involved or donate
money to the Lubbock Women's Protective Services, call 806-748-5292.
ALPHA CHI OMEGA HUGS AND PAMPERS
CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
On March 5th 2005 the Gamma Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega held its annual
drive benefiting children of domestic violence. Chapter members spent the
day at several local United Supermarkets and with overwhelming community support
the drive collected more than 10,000 diapers and raised over $1000. Support
of Victims of Domestic Violence has been a national altruistic project for
Alpha Chi Omegas across the country for years. This was the 3rd year that
the Texas Tech Gamma Rho Chapter participated in the Hugs and Pampers drive.
All collected diapers were delivered to Women’s Protective Services
and the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega were proud to also present them with a check
for $1,293.02
