Members of Alpha Kappa Psi, a fraternity within the E.J. Ourso College of Business, are making an effort to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey — a 53-foot long effort, to be exact.
From Sept. 14 to Sept. 22, Alpha Kappa Psi will host a donation drive on campus so they can fill the 53-foot long trailer that takes up eight parking spots, nicknamed “Generosity.” During the drive, members are looking to collect cleaning products, hygiene products, feminine products and baby products. Other basic supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels and water are also needed. All other donations are still welcome.
Alpha Kappa Psi is not part of the University’s Greek activities suspension in place from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25., as it is not considered a “social” fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi service chair Gabrielle Deville said. LSU Media Relations confirmed that only organizations that fall under the Office of Greek Life are part of the suspension.
“We are a non-hazing fraternity. That is something that is absolutely unacceptable to us, and that is something we have never partaken in, and we do not plan on partaking in the future,” Deville said. “So it definitely does not affect us in anyway. We still consider this an Alpha Kappa Psi event and we did check to make sure Alpha Kappa Psi was allowed to keep on with our events.”
At the first officer meeting of the semester, Deville said there was a discussion about how to help Hurricane Harvey victims. Once the officers decided to host a donation drive, they were concerned about how to get the donations to Texas. Then, after talking with her grandmother who works for Frisard Trucking Company, Deville was able to get a truck donated to the fraternity so they could deliver the donations.
Once “Generosity” is filled, the donations will go to Christian Faith Church in Port Arthur, Texas, where Pastor Albert Moses and other volunteers at the church will distribute the items to those in need across the community.
Initially, Deville said she was calling churches in Houston when looking for places to donate the collections. However, those churches informed Deville that Port Arthur was not receiving as much social media attention and were not receiving as many donations. They encouraged Deville to get in contact with churches in the Port Arthur area.
Deville said donating to Hurricane Harvey victims was important, not only because it is an opportunity to reciprocate the help Louisianians received during past disasters, but also because it brings the community together.
“Not only is it the right thing to do, to help people out who helped us, but it just … feels good in general giving back to the community…,” Deville said. “It just gives us a chance to come together as a community.”
Generosity is a part of Alpha Kappa Psi’s overall focus on philanthropy. Throughout the semester, Alpha Kappa Psi hosts other events, such as Bus Driver Appreciation Day and a gala to raise funds from sponsors in order to donate throughout the community.

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Dena Winegeart

LSU Generosity