Thursday, April 26, 2012

Stubbs' Educational Foundation - SS

A bunch of us enjoyed another fun time at the Stubb's Educational Foundation event to benefit music students and Stubb's Music Center in Tallahassee.




Joy's (UF, Gamma Iota) husband's BBQ company Bluewater Cooking catered:








GOOD EATS Y'ALL!













The evening's events:


Barbara (Beta Eta, FSU) is an accomplished piano teacher:



Some of the delights we purchased in the Silent Auction:




















Amy our president and her hubby cutting the rug!:






















See a recap of
last year's event attended by our sisters Amy, Britain, Joy and Martha.



and our Alpha Chi sisters supported with their businesses - a Gamma Iota, UF sisters owns:






















Please visit the Foundation on Facebook and give them a "like"


Bluewater Cooking is on Facebook too!

Monday, April 23, 2012

AXOs Bring Home FSU Greek Awards!

We are so proud to share the news from the FSU Greek Awards, which were held April 12th. Alpha Chi Omega had two individual winners and two chapter awards. First, our ETE Treasurer and member of the FSU AXO Advisory Board was honored as one of the Chapter Advisors of the Year! There simply is not another sister more deserving of recognition for her devotion! Congratulations Jennifer!!

Jennifer (Theta Lamba) with her award!!

The second individual award went to Jaclyn, who was named Sorority President of the Year! Congratulations, Jaclyn, we are so proud of you!
Jaclyn and her award!!

Beta Eta chapter was also recognized for Excellence in Greek Relations and Excellence in Campus Involvement. Nice work sisters!
Beta Eta's Excellence in Greek Relations certificate!
All of the Alpha Chi Omegas at the event, with the awards!

Friday, April 20, 2012

The Collection on Southside - NEW Location!


Did you know Refuge House's awesome and creative Thrift/Gift/Consignment Store (and More) moved? They always want to see your face and receive any good-quality items you have to donate! Supporting https://www.facebook.com/southsidelulu is such an easy way for Epsilon Tau Epsilon sisters to fight Domestic Violence!


You can visit the shop when the pink windsock flag is flying. Pink Windsock = "Lulu's in da house"


Fun finds with shades of Alpha Chi Omega at The Collection:






Peacock Dress! Hera would love it!













Red Carnation modernist light shade












Scarlet and Olive pillows with Maple leaves? It screams October 15, 18815!
by Pillow Talk Designs consignment pillows - fantastic quality with lovely fabrics.


You can't get enough Lulu! She has an amazing spirit and vigor for life! Visit her: You'll be glad you did!



She is expanding the reach of the shop on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthsideLulu

Monday, April 16, 2012

MusicFest ... Benefiting Refuge House - 3rd Annual

It was a beautiful day at MusicFest benefiting our local DVA/SVA shelter and organization in Tallahassee! We hope lots of sisters enjoyed the day outside in Tallahassee at the event.


We are lucky the local paper, Tallahassee Democrat, is devoted to our communities and covers these types of events:

Update: Music festival serves as Refuge House's biggest fundraiser

Sounds of Hope, the music festival for the Refuge House, has raised more than $50,000 over the past two years, said Refuge House Executive Director Meg Baldwin.

"This is an event where the whole community comes out to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault," she said. "We celebrate their he

roism and courage."

The third annual outdoor music festival started at noon and goes until 5 p.m., at Unity Eastside Church, 8551 Buck Lake Road.

Saxophone player Dayve Stewart, who already played his set earlier in the day, said he enjoys playing at events like Sounds of Hope.

“You just want the song and the tones to reverberate in peoples’ souls,” he said after his performance. “If it’s not about people then what is it about?”

Earlier story

MusicFest: Sounds of Hope is a major fundraising event for Refuge House, which assists those affected by domestic or sexual violence in eight counties t

hroughout the Big Bend area.

The third annual outdoor music festival is today, from noon to 5 p.m., at Unity Eastside Church, 8551 Buck Lake Road.

The afternoon of live music will feature local and national performers such as Dayve Stewart & the Vibe, Del Suggs, the Sarah Mac Band and the Boys' Choir of Tallahassee.

Tickets for the event are $10.


Our treasurer Jenn, spent the morning helping set up the Information table and the Merchandising Table (t-shirts, CDs and MusicFest Idol "special friend " bags).
















Enjoy the photos of the pre-event.











They had three stages! This was one - please forgive the awful photography! :)

This is a shot of the food booth - lots of yummy spots in town donated food - THANK YOU!
The vendors brought lots of tempting items. Jenn's favorite booth was the jewelry from the fantastic Quincie Hamby had a booth: Everything was GORGEOUS!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Helping a Collegian who helps families with Cancer

We think it is important to support our collegians who are nearby and far away from teh Tallahassee and Thomasville area. This is a worthy cause and one touching and affecting many lives:

To my Alpha Chi sisters,

My name is Bre Vergess and I am the president of Alpha Chi Omega, Pi Chapter at UC Berkeley. I would appreciate it if you could help me share my story with your chapter!

When my father, Dr. Russell Vergess, was diagnosed, I was 12 years old. In the year following the news, I was forced to grow up faster than my friends and I tried to understand how this thing called “Cancer” was making my dad so sick so fast. He was an incredible man and he was my hero, but through his fight and until the day he passed away, his priority was always me. He wanted me to have a normal life and have fun, and more than anything he didn’t want to leave his only daughter behind. The strength of my father and the power of the cause pushed me to fight back in my own way.

Arriving at the University of California, Berkeley almost 3 years ago, I came across an organization called Camp Kesem. Camp Kesem is a free sleep away summer camp for kids ages 6 to 16 with a parent who has or has had cancer. It is simply a week for them to have as much fun as possible, given the support and attention they need.

This year is my third year with Camp Kesem, and my second year as a coordinator, but what has kept me so deeply drawn to this organization can hardly be described to you in a letter. It is an 8 year-old boy with nothing on his mind but the pure joy of reaching the top of the rock climbing wall. It is a group of 10 year-olds who have known each other for 2 days laughing and working together to win the scavenger hunt like they’ve been friends for years. It is sitting face to face with a 13 year-old camper who can’t seem to understand why “this thing” has happened to her, and seeing my young, vulnerable and afraid 13 year-old self staring back at me. I can’t help but think of my dad and what Camp Kesem would have meant to him- knowing the magnitude of a parent’s love for their child and through that, what camp provides not only to the kids, but to the parents.

Camp Kesem is many things: it is adventure, new friends, new experiences. But more than that, it is an inexplicable joy and passion that comes from a common bond that our campers share. It is a place of growth and confidence. It is a source of strength and hope. It comes from a need that changed my life seven years ago, but today, with every camper, their family, and their story, Camp Kesem has drawn my heart closer to its cause.

Camp Kesem is run by college students, and between 2001 and 2010, the organization grew from a single campus hosting 37 campers to a national movement with 37 camps in over 22 states. There are 1.7 million cancer cases a year in the United States that affect individuals and their families, and while the support network is there for adults, the special emotional needs of the children of cancer patients is often overlooked. Camp Kesem is just beginning to address this need.


Camp Kesem, Berkeley, raises $70,000 annually to bring 80 campers and 40 counselors to camp, and we are continuing to grow and expand each year. I would really appreciate any support you can provide - whether it's just reading the Camp Kesem website (www.campkesem.org), forwarding this information on to friends/family, donating, or inquiring about other ways that you can help. All donations are tax-deductible. With your help, we can make this year's Camp Kesem an overwhelming success!

Donate online on my personal fundraising page at: http://tinyurl.com/73bzjd3

In the bond,
Bre Vergess


There are several chapters of Camp Kesem hosted by universities all over the U.S. If you or someone you know has children and has fought or is fighting cancer, or is interested in starting a CK on your/their campus, go towww.campkesem.org for more information.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Another Sister Featured for Art and Design

Volume 8/ Issue 2 - Home & Design featured the home of our very own Amanda (Alpha Upsilon, U of AL) who is the "go to" woman at COCA (Council on Culture & Arts for Tallahassee). We love how Amanda' life exemplifies Alpha Chi Omega's mission of supporting the fine arts.