Alpha Chis Philanthropies Alpha Chi Omega prides itself on its philanthropy

domestic violence awareness and they raised over $5,000 last year for the cause. Each year Gamma Theta, the University of Maryland chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, hosts philanthropy events to raise awareness and help end domestic violence. Gamma Theta raises money for a variety of

organizations in particular the House of Ruth. This is a Maryland non-profit organization that provides services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. According to its website, The House of Ruth

Maryland is one of the nations leading intimate partner violence centers, helping thousands of battered women and their children find the safety and security that so many of us take for granted. Most of the money Gamma

Theta raises goes to funding the houses and victims the organization supports. Another organization

Gamma Theta donates to is the One Love Foundation, another advocate for domestic violence awareness. The foundations goal is to end relationship violence by engaging young people in the movement. This organization was created for Yeardley Love,

a University of Virginia lacrosse player, who was abused and ultimately killed by her boyfriend. Alpha Chi Omega also donates to other local

organizations, like the Prince Georges Crisis Center, to raise awareness within Prince Georges county and the College Park community.

Alpha Chi Omega

Whats Inside ?1. All About G.I. Alpha Chi...22. Thoughts about AXOs event...23. Different Philanthropy Events...3 4. Domestic Violence Statistics...45. UMD CARE organization...4

Sisters participating in Run for Love, AXOs 5K run. Photo by: Amanda Singer

Alpha Chi Omegas Philanthropy Events

1. G.I. Alpha ChiAXOs newest event featuring an inter-fraternity competition.

2. Run for LoveA 5K run in the College Park area in the spring

3. Pizza Pies with Alpha ChisPizza sale and competition with a fraternity. 4. Pack for LovePackaged gifts for families in need.

Real. Strong. Women.

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Last Tuesday, UMDs chapter of Alpha Chi Omega hosted their first annual G.I. Alpha Chi at Ritchie Coliseum to raise money for domestic violence awareness and the One Love Foundation. 18 fraternities competed in different activities, with Zeta Psi eventually placing first. Different events included a relay race in which each team, made up of three fraternity members, needed to shake five balls out of a box strapped to their behinds. There was also a pie eating contest, corn hole and different physical strength activities. According to Alpha Chi Omegas Vice President of Philanthropy, Caroline Heyman, AXO does not know how much money they have yet raised, but they received $2,000 in co-sponsorships from 18 fraternities and four sororities.

This money will all be donated to the One Love Foundation, an organization created in honor of Yeardly Love, a UVA lacrosse player who was a

victim of domestic violence and was ultimately killed by her boyfriend. According to the organizations website, their goal is to end domestic violence by engaging young people in a movement for change. According to Heyman, the competition had many strengths including overall participation, the entertaining events and enthusiasm for the competition. Next year, Heyman would like a bigger focus on domestic violence awareness and to increase advertising so more people come out to support teams and watch the games.

I believe that for a first year event G.I. Alpha Chi went really well, said Heyman. We were able to execute an entirely new event that will hopefully expand and grow in the future.

G.I. Alpha Chi

AXOs show off their strength at G.I. Alpha Chi. Photo by: Sam Hamburger

Thoughts on G.I. Alpha Chi...

Beginning of the relay races.Photo by: Sam Hamburger

I thought it was an extremely successful event and I cant wait to see how it improves next year, said Jordan Thompson, a sister of AXO.

I love competition so I think G.I. Alpha Chi is a great event, said Jonah Westerlind, a competitor. I cant wait to compete again next year.

I hope next year we focus the event more on domestic violence so people really understand our philanthropy, said Simone Jensen, a sister of AXO.

I was just there supporting my fraternity Kappa Sigma and watching my friends compete. The events were hilarious, said James Faucett, an attendee.

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Real Strong Women

Pack to Give Back: Alpha Chi Omega orders supplies and pack bags,

which are brown paper bags that go to families seeking help at Prince Georges crisis center.

This organization addresses the critical needs of domestic violence victims in the Prince Georges community.

Supplies include toiletries, food and other useful items.

Pizza Pies with Alpha Chis: Pizza Pies with Alpha Chi is catered by all seven pizza places in College Park. At the

event, attendees guess where the pizza is from and vote on their favorite pizza. This event benefits the House of Ruth, a Maryland non-profit organization that

provides services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. This event is cosponsored by the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Pop Up Shop: The pop up shop is when different boutiques come to the Alpha Chi Omega house

and sell their products, which range from clothes to shoes to accessories. A percentage of the proceeds from these boutiques benefits the House of Ruth along

with Pizza Pies with Alpha Chis.

The different toiletries being placed in gift bags. Photo by: Sarah Leahy

This is Alpha Chi Omegas fall philanthropy event, which consists of three parts. Anyone part of the University of Maryland community can purchase a

ticket and attend these events.

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*These events will continue next fall. Sisters are encouraged to help plan these events and help set up. Additionally, all fraternities and sororities on campus are encouraged to participate.*

4Domestic violence statistics

The facts people dont hear about.

1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence.

Three women are murdered by their partners daily.

1 in 6 U.S. woman have survived attempted or completed sexual assault.

4,774,000The number of women in the U.S. who experience physical violence by an intimate partner yearly.

20 The number of people who are victims of intimate violence every minute. Infographic: Sarah Leahy

The University of Maryland supports domestic violence awareness and provides students with an outlet to securely discuss problems within their own relationships. This office is called CARE, which stands for campus advocates respond and educate. According to CAREs website their mission is to respond to incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual harassment affecting all genders of the university community. The office also aims at educating the UMD community about sexual assault and domestic violence to empower the university to act to reduce this violence. Every year CARE representatives go to Alpha Chi Omega and other Greek chapters to give a presentation on the meaning of sexual assault and what it constitutes. This part of their plan is to help educate students, especially the Greek community because incidents of rape occur more frequently here. I think its extremely important to have these presentations, said Alpha Chi Omega President, Emily Baseman. Educating students is the first step to ending relationship violence, especially in the Greek community. CARE hosts many events including the Clothesline project that is held at Hornbake Plaza. Decorated t-shirts hang on clotheslines all over the plaza reminding students of the prevalence of domestic violence on campus. Over 700 shirts have been collected over 15 years. I think a lot of times people forget about the prevalence of domestic violence, especially on college campuses, said sophomore Alpha Chi Omega, Melissa Fajardo. Its nice to have a reminder every once in awhile. CARE has a 24-hour crisis cell and an office open Monday-Thursday for any student or faculty in need.

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