Take a closer look at Alpha Omicron Pi's philanthropy, Juvenile Arthritis and Arthritis Research!

Get all the inside info on how AOII raises money for such an incredible cause!

AOII highlights the impact of arthritis during “AOII Goes Blue”, a week-long event centered around October 12, Arthritis Awareness Day. Their goal? Educate others about arthritis - a disease many people don’t know a lot about. Girls wear blue all week to show their support and spread the word!

Girls can table around campus and hold themed events throughout the week. Each chapter can do something different, but they are all dedicated to educating the public and raising money for such a special cause. Phi Alpha, the AOII chapter at East Tennessee State University, goes all out for Go Blue Week. Timberely Kasemeyer, the philanthropy chair, gave me all the details about how they raise money throughout the week. They hold greek-wide penny wars, have percentage nights at Five Guys, and have a “Pie a Pi” event! Who wouldn’t want to pie someone in the face?? And if it's for a good cause? Perfect!

“Strike Out Arthritis!” is the main event put on by AOIIs across the country to raise money for arthritis research. Baseball tourneys - name an easier way to get fraternities involved! It’s a great way to bond with your sisters, hang with other organizations, and have a fun day in the sun! Not to mention, $$$! Whether you’re swinging the bat, waiting in the outfield, or cheering from the stands - you have a blast supporting an amazing cause!

AOII also has ties with MLB teams, moving fundraising to the major leagues! These events are sponsored by the International Fraternity and get the entire community involved and excited to come watch a game. Because who doesn’t say yes to hotdogs and baseball??

No baseball field? No worries! AOII chapters also put on volleyball and bowling tournaments, putting a different spin on the term “Strike Out!” The goal is still the same: have fun with sisters and friends while raising money for an incredible cause. At the Phi Alpha chapter, this is exactly what they do! Instead of baseball, they have a fun day playing sand volleyball - getting other chapters involved and raising that $$$.

Money raised by chapters goes directly to the Arthritis Foundation. AOII is the largest donor towards Juvenile Arthritis Research, making these events even more important!

Sorry arthritis, you’re out!

It’s not just about the big events! Raising money for your philanthropy can be for anything - as long as it gets the people going (Blades of Glory, anyone?) At East Tennessee State University, they’ve found that their panda drive has been the best thing to get other people involved. Other greek chapters can either send in stuffed pandas or Venmo AOII to get points. And the prize? Cookie cake! Never underestimate how much desserts will make college kids want to win. And, the best part is, the pandas went to the local children’s hospital.

Timberely and Jazmine Neis, the chapter's t-shirt chair, also explained how they give back to the troops in a program called Sisters 4 Soldiers. Girls can bring in toiletries and other necessities for care packages for a military base. AOII headquarters encourages chapters to find other local philanthropies to participate in, and this is a great example of that. Along with their great success with arthritis awareness, Alpha O’s can impact the lives of people in their communities.

Alpha O has been dedicated to raising money and awareness for Arthritis across its hundreds of chapters. A light-hearted baseball game, stuffed panda, or blue ribbon really can spread the word across campus! AOII not only serves one another, but the entire community.