THETA OMEGA CHAPTER OF THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. CELEBRATES A DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
Louisville, Kentucky
By Bro. Al Cornish
May 16th could have just been an ordinary day in Louisville, Kentucky but the brothers of Theta Omega Chapter decided it was just as good of a day as any to have a day of community service.
The Social Action Committee chaired by Bro. Lester Sanders planned the day which began with work in conjunction with the local board of realtors on a Habitat for Humanity home located at 1907 West Chestnut Street in the historic west end of Louisville. Brothers hammered, sawed, climbed and carried materials as work proceeded on the construction of the home. A total of 12 brothers participated in the effort. Bro. Sanders stated “We as Omega Men have made it our responsibility to be involved in our community. Helping complete this home will ensure that a needy family has the dream of a lifetime – their own home. And we can take some pride in knowing that we were part of it.” Bro. Sanders, a realtor himself, understands the importance of home ownership. “I work with families throughout this community and am able to see the joy and the change that is brought into their lives through the purchase of their own home.” says Sanders.
That evening members of the chapter participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the historic Central High School, where Muhammad Ali attended and graduated. This event was chaired by Bro. Mike Fulton. “There are so many lives that have been affected by and loss to cancer in our community including family members of mine as well as other chapter members. We felt it only right and fitting that we do our part to support the efforts of the American Cancer Society” said Fulton. The chapter set a goal of raising $2,000.00. The chapter exceeded its goal and collected $2,525.00. In addition, the chapter was awarded the best team in 3 out of 5 categories - BEST NEWCOMER TEAM, BEST SPIRITED TEAM and received the DISTINQUISHED BRONZE CLUB Award. Bro. Harold Crawford (affectionately known as Dirty Harry) was the top donor bringing in $590.00.
Brothers spent the entire evening and into the wee hours of the morning (7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) walking the track. A member of the chapter had to be on the track at all times during the 12 hours. When not on the track, brothers enjoyed games, activities and other festivities but even more importantly some “good ole’ Omega camaraderie and friendship.
Bro. Sanders closed the day by saying “This is what Omega is all about – Uplift – and what we have done during this Community Service Day is to uplift the lives of many citizens and residence of our community and for that I and the brothers are proud!”
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated was founded on Friday, November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by three undergraduate students and one faculty advisor. The founders were Howard University students Edgar Amos Love, Frank Charles Coleman, and Oscar James Cooper. The first faculty advisor was Dr. Ernest Everett Just, who early on was accorded the status of founder by the three undergraduates. From its inception, the fraternity has worked to build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. Theta Omega Chapter was established on December 12, 1922 and was the 5th District (Kentucky and Tennessee) 2007 – 2008 Social Action Chapter of the Year for Chapters under 50 Members.
Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait. There are many notable Omega Men recognized as leaders in the arts, sciences, academics, athletics, business, civil rights, education, and government at the local, national and international level.
