Giving Back From The Start

The ladies of the Psi chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau have most definitely started the year right. Although this is only the third week of school, ASTs have wasted no time with their efforts of giving back to the Harrisonburg community; Allie Herland, Community Service Chair, has made sure the girls stay up to date with opportunities to volunteer.

This past three day weekend, or four day weekend for the extra lucky ones, was a great opportunity for sisters to do some community service. Saturday, January 19, was dubbed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee the Day of Service. The objective of the day was to celebrate Martin Luther King Day and to kick off inauguration activities! The events sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee were: VA blood Services Drive, Trash Pick-up at Devon Lane and the JMU Arboretum, Be the Match Drive, and Clothing Drive at the Mercy House Thrift Store. 

Nine ladies woke up early that Saturday to pick up trash down Devon Lane (which we all know accumulates during weekend shenanigans). Along with members form other organizations, Sarah K, Valerie K, Nicole B, Sara C, Marissa N, Sarah C, Luisa C, Jennifer H, and Caroline C fronted the cold morning and picked up trash from 865 all the way to SouthView. Sister Alexa Johnson represented AST in the trash clean up at the JMU Arboretum that same morning. 

ASTs facing the cold to clean up Devon Lane!
Top: Luisa, Valerie, Sarah K,  Nicole, Sarah C
Bottom: Sara C, Marissa, Caroline, and Jennifer

Allie, along with AST sister Leila Miran, went to the Be the Match Drive during the Day of Service. There, they decorated door handles and cards with motivational quotes for children battling cancer. 

"It's a little way to hopefully brighten these inspirational children's days since they are going through so much." said Leila.

Monday was also a big day for volunteering for ASTs. At around 10am, Marissa N, Caroline C, Rachel P, Valerie K, Madilyn S, Emma M, Sydney T, Leila M and Allie H went to the Arc Op Shop, which is a place where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can go for the day.

“I’m a special education major, so I have a lot of experience working with individuals with disabilities, but it was a lot more fun doing it with my sisters” said Madilyn, “I will absolutely be going back!”

“All of the clients were very sweet and the people that worked there were very helpful and grateful that we were there!” said Valerie.  

The clients, adults with disabilities that go to ARC, can earn a paycheck by making crafts to sell in the Op Shop and by folding pizza boxes for Papa Johns. Our girls got to meet and hang out with the clients, and also had a chance to participate in a lot of fun activities with them throughout the morning!

"When we first got there, we played games with them, colored, and just chatted! Then we went to the gym for an hour and we played parachute, basketball and danced" said Allie. 

"After parachute, some people played basketball or corn hole but I went to the dancing section," said Caroline, "some clients just swayed back and forth but others went all out! I even learned a little dance routine to the song 'My Girl.'"

Another community service effort that our girls are currently involved in is Teen for Jeans. This campaign is sponsored by Aeropostale, and they have collected over 1.5 million pairs of jeans in the past four years. AST sister Rachel Petri knew about this community service opportunity and shared it with the chapter. All of the jeans collected will go to homeless teenagers and young adults here in Harrisonburg.

"A pair of jeans is a great example of something simple that we often take for granted and through this drive we are able to give back and make another teen's life a little bit better!" said Rachel. 

Every semester the Psi chapter puts a lot of effort into giving back to the Harrisonburg community. We cannot wait to find out more about all the fun ways to do service and better our beloved community this year!