Alpha Chi Giving Back: Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many Alpha Chi's went out into the Eugene community to give back to those less fortunate. Read all about Sam Harmon's description of her day with her sisters volunteering with the Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network.

Ally, Jenn, Sarendum, Amanda, Laura,
and Sam repping Alpha Chi!

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" -Martin Luther King Jr.
Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to helping others and on the celebration of his birth this year, a few Oregon Alpha Chi's ventured to Springfield to volunteer with Duck Corps. The Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network is a group organized by families with children who have Down Syndrome, for families who have children with Down Syndrome. They network is just one of the many parts that make up The Arc. As per their mission statement, "the Arc envisions a world in which all persons have the support and opportunities they need for personal development, independence, and interdependence with family and friends, and inclusion in the community."

Ally teaching Evan the
Alpha Chi sign!

Sam bonding with Evan.

Ally Brayton, Jenn Hammond, Sarendum Alamu, Amanda Sarantis, Laura Rhode and myself all ventured to the Willamalane Rec Center in Springfield early the morning of January 16th. We were told that we'd each be partnered with a child with some sort of disability, ranging from Autism to Down Syndrome, or a sibling of one of these children. The volunteers mostly worked in pairs to chase after and play games with these rambunctious little kids. Our own personal experiences were great. We met Monet, Evan and Nathan and spent the large majority of the morning learning about their different and intriguing ways of communicating just what they were thinking, without using so many words. Our experience volunteering with The Arc was an unforgettable one, and I speak for all of us when I say that we all came out of this experience with greater knowledge of these developmental disabilities.

I know that the majority of our lives are spent doing things that benefit ourselves. Think about it. We go to school to make sure that we are successful and stable in our future. We spend hours at the gym to ensure that we are pretty and thin. We will even drive twenty minutes to find our favorite coffee shop. In the world that we live in today, this is a completely normal and accepted lifestyle. However, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, these six Alpha Chis stepped back from the hustle and bustle of their lives and decided to do something to benefit others. Martin Luther King Jr. didn't just try to bridge the gap between two races. He stood for living a life that would put other's interests above your own. He preached community activism, love for everyone regardless of one's wealth or background, and standing up for something you believe in. I am proud to say that Alpha Chi was involved in this community service event and many other events in the community. But the beauty of our house is that we don't just do this on special holidays. We always strive to benefit others, and in turn we learn a lot about ourselves and our sisterhood.

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." -Martin Luther King Jr.

LITB,

Chrissy Hardesty