Yes, you read that correctly.

About a year ago, one of my peers wrote an article about Alpha Omicron Pi at Jacksonville State University doing their summer "Sister's for Soldier's" project! This year, the Philanthropy chair for Alpha Omicron Pi at JSU, Tori Attison, had a different plan on her mind.

Just a little before the summer, the idea began to cook and had been discussed at several meetings and workshops, where it was finally set into action. Alpha Omicron Pi was ready and willing to take on this task. And what's better than that? That the FCS Division 1 Champion JSU Football Team was a partner in the event as well. Some of my sisters presented the idea of partnering with the football team during the summer, and the idea was loved. It was then that this project came into full swing: To donate backpacks full of new school supplies to numerous schools in Calhoun County.

The idea spread on social media and throughout the community about what all we needed and what the cause was.

On July 29th, sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi gathered on the Square in Jacksonville with a tent and tubs and started taking donations from the community. Veterans, teachers, and even members from the rest of the Greek community at JSU came and donated supplies and money to the cause. JSU's own Stephenson Hall donated pencils and binders.

"It felt good to show up at the square and have tons of people bring supplies and donate money. It was heart warming to see what the community will do for children in need. There was so much more support than we had initially suspected!"

-Attison

Tori claims that the sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi have put together 200 backpacks and have accepted donations for many more.The JSU Football team has put together 45 along with other supplies to donate as well.

"We hope to have around 300 to donate to the schools when the time comes, which is amazing for our first year. We couldn't have picked a better organization to partner with. The football team has been amazing, and they have taken their time out of their summer practice to help out the community. Imagine being a seven-year-old boy and being obsessed with Gamecock Football. Maybe your parent's can't afford school supplies. When a JSU Football Player hands him that backpack.. it will mean the world. The boys have been so supportive and willing to help out."

-Attison

On August 14th, all the members of Alpha Omicron Pi as well as the JSU Football Team will meet on Burgess-Snow field and stuff backpacks to prepare for drop-off. Afterwards, the football team and the sorority members will have a cook-out mixer to celebrate the success of this amazing event.

Following this day, on August 16th, members of both organizations will dress up as Dr. Suess characters and hand deliver these backpacks to the schools and to the children.

"We are just excited to give back to the community that continuously gives back to us. We want to help out and put smiles on every child's face! This has been amazingly successful and I can't wait to see what this event will hold in the future."

-Attison

For me, I enjoy being part of an organization that gives to the community. Before college, I thought sororities were self-centered, but Alpha Omicron Pi has certainly proven me wrong. We are constantly doing what we can to give back to the community, and that's what I love most about being an AOII. Being part of a service-based organization has changed my life!

If you would like to donate any supplies to our cause, we will be taking donations until August 7th! Just contact our Philanthropy Chair, Tori Attison, at (678)-628-7698!!