philanthropy
AOII's international philanthropy is arthritis research. Arthritis is one of the most chronic health problems facing our nation. It is the leading cause of disability for Americans over the age of 15 and affects 65 million people, or 1 in 3 adults. However, arthritis does not only affect adults. More than 300,000 children have been diagnosed with this disease. AOII works with the Arthritis Foundation in numerous events to raise money for this great cause.
For more information on the Arthritis Foundation, please visit www.arthritis.org.
AOII foundation
The Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation was established in 1977 as a non-profit organization to support the various philanthropies of the Fraternity. Tax deductible financial contributions to the Foundation are an investment in the future of AOII and its ideals. Since 1977, the Foundation has contributed over $4.5 million to philanthropic causes.
For more information on the AOII Foundation, please visit www.aoiifoundation.org.
stick up for arthritis
Each Halloween, Kappa Omicron members dress in their best costumes and trick-or-treat for change in Rhodes residence halls. The money collected goes to the AOII Foundation and the Memphis Arthritis Foundation to continue to fund arthritis research and projects. Our last event raised over $500!
heartthrob
Kappa Omicron holds our Heartthrob philanthropy event the week of Valentine's Day. Every fraternity and sorority on campus is asked to select a representative of their organization, and their representative's picture is placed on a decorated change jar. AOIIs sit in the Rat (the dining hall) all week and Rhodes students and faculty vote for their choice for AOII Heartthrob by placing coins in the jar. The representative who receives the most votes earns the title of "AOII Heartthrob" and a small prize, and the proceeds from the event are donated to arthritis research.
strike out arthritis
Kappa Omicron hosts Strike Out Arthritis, a charity softball tournament, to fundraise for the Arthritis Foundation. This year, Rhodes College president Bill Troutt threw the first pitch to kick off the event. The sisters of AOII sold concessions and raffle tickets, played music, and cheered on the participating teams to victory. 10 teams played for the title of Strike Out champion. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Arthritis Foundation to fund arthritis research projects.
how does AOII help?
-Emily Gillespie received $75,000 for research on genomics of systemic lupus erythematosus.
-Ashley J. Beard, MPH, was awarded $15,000 for her work studying cost as a factor in communication
between the rheumatoid arthritis patient and his/her rheumatologist regarding medication
management.
-Juvenile Arthritis educational grants
-A grant of $10,000 was awarded in 2007 to the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference to fund
children's activities and programs.
-$5,000 was granted in the form of scholarships to send families to the national conference.