Growing up, for every Christmas and birthday, I always had my heart set on the latest in movies or computer games. Some material item that I would have to hint to my parents for cause they never really got an exact idea. But recently, I’ve been given another gift that meant more than the newest Sims game or romantic comedy. It wasn’t for any Christmas or birthday. Unlike a material thing, it won’t ever wear off over time and lose its splendor.
My gift was my fraternity. And the brothers that came along with it.
Yeah, you heard right. It’s a fraternity. But it’s a coed fraternity. It invites both guys and girls to take part in developing leadership skills and providing means of service to give back to the community. It’s a pretty large fraternity nationwide with more than 400,000 members on over 375 campuses. The chapter on my campus itself boats over eighty members. It seems like a lot...but the experience is definitely worth it.
When you pledge Alpha Phi Omega, it’s not like any other fraternity or sorority. We don’t haze initiates and throw all-out ragers on the weekends. Every week is dedicated to the community service that we do, volunteering on the campus, in our community, to the nation, and to the chapter. Every week, you can sign up for different projects from restoring used children’s books to sorting donated clothes. Each experience is different, but they are all just as rewarding.
My favorite part about APO is that everyone there is someone I could call a friend. No matter who we are or where we come from, I know that this large group of brothers didn’t just become new friends, they became a family for me to always love and protect, and consequently, giving me love and protection right back. It has become a family that I can trust and will always allow me to just be me no matter how awkward or insane I can get. It’s so refreshing to know that you don’t feel like you have to change yourself just to fit in.
I joined Alpha Phi Omega expecting to just immerse myself in the community service it provides. What I got was so much more. After a semester and a half (and counting), it feels like I’ve been blessed with the greatest gift no one can put a price on. Everyone I’ve ever met in this fraternity and made a strong, meaningful connection with has shown me nothing but understanding and genuine hospitality. They’ve become my biggest inspirations and truly, my heroes. I don’t know where I would be today without them.
I was happy with all the presents I got for my past Christmases and birthdays. But they were usually games and fun toys I ended up giving up on playing with after a few months. Not all material things can buy true happiness. Sometimes, once you dig deep and maybe take that brave leap out of your comfort zone a little, you can find happiness in the best kind of friends that look out for you and pick you up when you’re down.
Here’s to Alpha Phi Omega, and my brothers. The greatest gift I hold onto forever and keep always in my heart.
