Hallmark Awards Resources
Sample of a 2002 Service Hallmark Award-Winning EssayAlpha Epsilon Phi Chapter
Bergen Community College
"If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen." - Loretta Gizantis
Prior to undertaking the year's service projects, the Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter embraced Loretta Gizantis' inspirational words as its dictum. Our goal became to maximize our human and material resources in an effort to make an impact on our local, regional, and national communities. Foremost in our minds was promoting the International Service Program; i.e., America's Promise.
Perhaps Alpha Epsilon Phi's most extraordinary service project was realized this fall. Negotiating with Toys "R" Us executives for over two years, the chapter realized a long-term vision of creating an association between the corporation and the international organization. The objective was accomplished in October 2001 when International Headquarters partnered with Toys "R" Us; whereby, the corporation opened its stores nationwide allowing Phi Theta Kappa chapters access to implement a Halloween reading program, thus providing an excellent venue for the America's Promise program.
International Headquarters released this initiative as a home page item on its website. It encouraged society-wide participation asking Phi Theta Kappa chapters in the U.S. and Canada to visit the toy stores during the weekend of October 19 for the purpose of reading aloud to children. To our knowledge, this was the first time a major corporation and Phi Theta Kappa have come together on an international level for a project involving all society members. Alpha Epsilon Phi members were thrilled, knowing that through our work, thousands of members were reading to children on the same days as they. Thus, the drive to secure a visible forum for the society's work was achieved. Throughout the weekend our members where right there, dressed in Halloween regalia, reading in two area stores.
Another service project that enabled us to make a notable impact on the America's Promise goal was our read aloud program, facilitated by the donation of 500 books each semester by the Modern Publishing Company. Books were distributed to schools, libraries and daycare centers. Officers and members read to children. Alpha Epsilon Phi looked carefully at the communities in need, one donation of books was made to Public School MS 184, a middle school in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of the Bronx and an area of abject poverty. Reaching outside our geographic area, hundreds of books were earmarked and given to other chapters and regions, so that they could reach their goals for the International Service Program.
In late summer, Alpha Epsilon Phi initiated "Operation Clean Sweep" in which members joined with those from Chi Iota and Middle States President, Joe Focht to pack up childrenswear samples at the Kids "R" Us executive offices in Paramus, New Jersey. Due to our investment in "sweat equity", thirty-five cartons valued at approximately $25,000 were sent into the community. We were so pleased that this new clothing would reach indigent children in both Bergen and Burlington Counties just in time for back-to-school. We reasoned that if a child felt well dressed when attending school, it bolstered self-esteem and enabled that child to be a better student.
While this was our largest pack and ship effort for charity, there were numerous smaller though significant ones throughout both semesters. Members packed and shipped childrenswear, footwear and juvenile furniture, donated by Kids "R" Us and Vision Products to both individual chapters and regions. Not forgetting dedication to a team spirit, cartons of new items were shipped to the California, New Mexico, Florida, Nebraska/Wyoming and New Mexico Regional Coordinators to trickle down to needy chapters.
Continuing with our annual cultural celebration, abused and neglected children of Bergen County were given a great day at our annual Halloween Party. It featured games, food, and music provided by our members, and a wealth of playthings donated by Toys "R" Us. Approximately thirty-five children attended. Since the chapter had so much food left after the party, the entire surplus was brought to the Bergen County Homeless Shelter. Keeping with our tradition we donate most surplus new toys to Tau Iota Chapter, Ocean Community College, for their annual Harvest Party for children with cancer. Middle States President, Joe Focht, who was in attendance at the party, volunteered to transport all the leftover toys to Ocean County Community College. A case of the educational adult game Cranium was donated to the Middle States Region for use as door prizes at upcoming 2002 Middle States Regional Convention. In one day with customs, traditions, and celebrations accomplished, membership was pleased with its undertakings.
Our Annual Photography Contest continued to be a successful fundraising event, allowing for intellectual and artistic investigation of the Honors Study Topic. This year, The Child Therapy Center of Bergen County was the beneficiary, receiving over $3,000 to go toward much needed, expensive equipment. Members and alumni accompanied advisor Christine Henkel to present the check to the Center's director. They brought with them a van full of toys donated by Toys "R" Us; and members spent time interacting with the kids, many of whom are multi-challenged. Later in the year, the chapter donated chairs, tables and other juvenile furniture to the Therapy center. The refurbishing of the playrooms made them colorful and attractive for the children to enjoy.
The chapter has a special place in its heart for children. Operation "Warm Feet" had members distributing children's slippers throughout New Jersey. With the help from California/Nevada Regional Coordinator, slippers were given to children on the west coast. Our Service Vice President oversaw the donation of swim goggles and fins to the Bergen County YMCA children's swim program. One of our officers, herself a cancer survivor, donated many service hours working with children fighting that disease. She volunteered to spend a week as a counselor at a summer camp for these children, and organized a chapter event at a local hospital's pediatric oncology ward, bringing along gifts, toys and slippers for the little ones.
Since the need for clean, affordable housing is most pressing in this community,
Alpha Epsilon Phi also donated much time to a local Habitat For Humanity program,
hammering, sweeping and doing whatever was necessary to get the job done.
Within the college community, the chapter gave time to service projects, assisting
in freshman orientation and acting as tour guides for groups of high school
students. Members also gave blood during the college's annual Blood Drive, and
participated in a seminar for Guidance Counselors from area high schools.
As the year drew to a close, members felt they were accomplishing the extraordinary. Even in the final days of December, the Alpha Epsilon Phi continued its work by supplying tables, bookcases, rugs and prints to refurbish the childcare center at New Jersey City University in Jersey City.
Alpha Epsilon Phi could very well join in the great company of those who make bleak spaces fruitful with kindness. Or, as best said by Helen Keller, "Carry a vision in your hearts, and you shall make your name, your college, the world correspond to that vision…the great enduring realities are love and service."
