Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Seton Hall’s co-ed service fraternity, will be hosting its first charity ball to benefit homeless families on Nov. 2 in Bethany Hall.
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Photo courtesy of Kristen Santullo[/caption]
According to Seton Hall’s student organization list, Alpha Phi Omega is one of several political and social justice organizations on campus that prides themselves on servicing the surrounding communities.
Dennis Schuck, a junior political science major and president of APO, discussed the fraternity’s servant-based program. “The mission of Alpha Phi Omega is to ‘prepare campus and community leaders through service,’” Schuck said. “One of the special aspects of APO is that we do not have a single philanthropy in which we serve, so we are able to give back to a variety of populations within our campus and local community.”
Kristen Santullo, a sophomore secondary education major and the inter-chapter chair, said that the upcoming APO ball will benefit Homefront, a nonprofit organization that provides aid to families.
“One of our brothers came up with this event with her big, one of our former alumna,” Santullo said.
“The fraternity chose Homefront, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in New Jersey, and a hundred percent of proceeds from the ball go to Homefront.”
The fraternity is very serious about the event and has meetings every week to discuss planning, Santullo said. “We currently have fellow brothers from Rutgers, Montclair [State] and NJIT attending. Any student is welcome to attend,” she said.
The charity ball is not the only project APO focuses on. “Our chapter specifically has a strong relationship with Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ), Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and does a lot of service benefiting Special Olympics of NJ,” Schuck said. “We also volunteer in a few local schools, the library, nursing homes and the local veterans’ hospital.”
Madison Pfaff, a junior elementary and special education and English major, is one of four vice presidents of APO, serving as the vice president of membership. Pfaff said that it is too late for students to join the organization this semester but they can join next semester.
“Anyone can rush APO as we are a co-ed organization,” Pfaff said. “If you are interested in getting to know more about APO, you can look for events that we are sponsoring such as the first APO ball or find us on social media.”
Schuck explained that the philanthropic aspect of APO is the driving force behind a future full of possibilities.
“I wanted to become President of APO because this organization is so special to me and I felt like I could give a lot back in this role,” Schuck said. “I felt, and still feel, as if there is so much potential for our chapter to grow and flourish as an organization known for our strong servant-based leaders.
“I do enjoy my position because of that reason exactly: I get to represent what I believe is an extraordinary and unique organization with genuine people who share a common goal of giving back to the community.”
Zoey Dotson can be reached at zoey.dotson@student.shu.edu.
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