O∆K’s National Day of Service was held on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Many individuals and circles participate in service on their campuses and their communities throughout the year. We expect more stories soon.
Campbell University
The Campbell University Circle continued a partnership with Project Not Forgotten, a local nonprofit organization, founded by a Campbell University graduate. A Project Not Forgotten seeks to better the lives of nursing home patients who have been removed from frequent contact with the outside world with seasonal deliveries. On Saturday, February 6, 2021, circle volunteers helped package and deliver more than 1,500 Valentine’s Day vases, bringing joy to residents of 25 assisted living communities in five counties.
Cassandra Marlow, Bellarmine University
This past year, Cassandra Marlow (Bellarmine University, 2018) volunteered at Louisville’s Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, where thousands of pumpkins were on display for people to watch as an initiative by the Louisville Metro Parks. Cassandra served by organizing cars for drive-through event. She shared, “it was a lot of fun and a way to get people to enjoy Halloween in a COVID friendly way.”
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine hosted its second annual Concordia Serves event on February 9, 2021. The initiative encourages students to “get off the hill” to serve the surrounding communities. This year’s efforts were realigned to include primarily on-campus projects that could be delivered to civic partners, thereby maintaining appropriate pandemic safety guidelines. The campus-wide initiative relied upon on-campus partners (clubs, organizations, departments, athletic teams, etc.) to provide the volunteers. O∆K was one such willing partner and included this activity in its attendance requirements. Several O∆K members were part of the campus-wide planning committee as well.
Dalton State College
Dalton State College hosts the Big Event in April to give back to the surrounding community. Members of the Dalton State College Circle signed up to volunteer at one of the sites to celebrate Omicron Delta Kappa’s National Day of Service. Members were assigned to serve at Providence Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides addiction recovery to women and men as well as shelter to women, men, and children.
Fontbonne University
For an eighth consecutive year, members of the Fontbonne University Circle will spend a morning volunteering with the House of Living Stone Community Garden, a congregation-based garden serving members of a local church. Typically, O∆K members’ roles include tilling, mulching, and ensuring the garden is in tip-top shape for spring!
Missouri Southern State University
The Missouri Southern State University Circle hosted their first service event at Pet Smart, asking for animal supplies for the Joplin Humane Society. O∆K member, Taylor Boyett, has adopted from the humane society and wanted to give back to help animals have a better life. The circle asked for items like dog and cat food, pet shampoo, cat litter, collars, and more. The circle raised more than one thousand pounds of supplies and $427 in cash donations.
Murray State University
The Murray State University Circle aimed to alleviate the pressure low-income parents face by providing spring baskets filled with stuffed animals, bunny ear headbands, pencils, bunny jumpers, and nut-free candy. One hundred baskets were donated to schools in association with the Calloway County Family Resource Center, and 111 baskets were donated to schools in association with the Murray Family Resource Center. Altogether, 211 baskets were donated to low-income families.
Peter Fort, University of Missouri – Kansas City
As a fifty-year donor of platelets, plasma, and whole blood, Peter Fort (University of Missouri – Kansas City, 1973) has been able to continue championing the cause through donation and volunteering as both a marrow-donor courier and research subject. Having no personal connection to the need, Peter feels great satisfaction in supporting such gifts of life in ways that so many of us are well-qualified to do. Donating on a regular basis helps in lifesaving ways as few other gifts can and builds one’s sense of self as well.
Cassandra Marlow, Bellarmine University
This past year, Cassandra Marlow (Bellarmine University, 2018) volunteered at Louisville’s Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, where thousands of pumpkins were on display for people to watch as an initiative by the Louisville Metro Parks. Cassandra served by organizing cars for drive-through event. She shared, “it was a lot of fun and a way to get people to enjoy Halloween in a COVID friendly way.”
Rider University 
The Rider University Circle organized the first Cangineering Event. 15 members of the circle gathered on campus to create a structure utilizing donated canned and boxed food. Overall, approximately 280 pounds of food were donated to our Rider Food Pantry.
Shenandoah University 
Members of the Shenandoah University Circle are volunteering individually over three weeks this spring to pick up trash within the Winchester, Va. community. Litter has been a growing problem in the area. Many trash clean-up programs were shut down due to the pandemic. Whether near campus or at their homes, members were asked to pick up trash on the sides of streets and in parks.
Audrey Snyder, University of Virginia
Audrey is the nurse clinical manager coordinating the COVID-19 vaccine clinic on the University of North Carolina Greensboro Campus. Many of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni are involved to help get vaccines into arms.
Clarissa Somers
Clarissa Somers (University of Kentucky, 2020) is a regular volunteer at the University of Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Kroger Field. She helps to register and screen those who are getting a vaccine. Clarissa shared, “It has been gratifying to work with people who are genuinely thrilled to receive a vaccine. Now, I am seeing more and more people returning for a second dose. I am always extra excited when I see someone who I registered for the first dose come back to receive the booster.”
University at Albany
The University at Albany Circle kicked off the National Day of Service on April 8. The UAlbany Circle is hosting a collection drive for Unity House of Troy (https://www.unityhouseny.org), a shelter for victims of domestic violence to inspire service. Circle members have developed a list of items that individuals need while in the shelter and take with them to move on to stable, safe housing. This ODK sponsored drive for Unity House will run through Saturday, April 24.
University of Kentucky
The Nu Circle at the University of Kentucky took part in volunteering for this year’s Lexington Polar Plunge with Special Olympics of Kentucky. From setting up the stage, pool, and tents to helping participants, O∆K members spent their day in service of SOKY. The event raised more than $73,000.
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell Circle has been offering its leaders various community service opportunities throughout the academic year. Members have assisted with Lowell General Hospital COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Additionally, others have developed and read custom audiobooks for members of the Lowell Association of the Blind. Finally, several circle leaders have helped with Project Learn Online Tutoring Initiative with Lowell High School.
Nathalia Watkins, University of Tampa
Nathalia is a key spouse for the 23rd Maintenance Squadron at Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Georgia. Nathalia works to ensure that more than 850 airmen and their families have all the resources they need during their time at Moody AFB. In summer 2020, Nathalia was in contact with spouses while service members were deployed to support two military operations in the Middle East. Additionally, she met with the squadron and flight leadership to coordinate Halloween gift bags for the children. Nathalia is currently coordinating a spouses’ day event in which spouses and children experience first-hand the missions supported by the 23rd Wing.
Western Colorado University
The Western Colorado University Circle organized a campus-wide Spring Day of Service where anyone from the campus and community could help organizations within the community. Pictured are members of the circle serving the community by building a structure.
Mike Wiethorn
Mike Wiethorn (University of Northern Iowa, 1991) took the Omicron Delta Kappa Day of Service email suggestion, and he signed up for Be My Eyes. Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Circle is partnering with the Peer Learning Mentorship program to offer its community of 200 mentors and mentees a series of workshops that focus on the different aspects of leadership. The workshops will cover four topics: interviews and resumes, public speaking, getting involved on campus, and defining one’s major and mission. The workshops will incorporate fun and interactive activities that will engage the participant and help them build themselves professionally. Overall, the circle leadership hopes to use the knowledge they learn to develop future leaders on campus.
