The Beta Alpha chapter at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and the Beta Eta Chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a day of service in their respective communities.

The Beta Alpha Chapter at NEIU partnered up with their university and campus community in a beautification project aimed at cleaning up and renovating a school in the Rogers Park neighborhood. The undergraduate brothers participated in this day of service which was also sponsored by CitiYear. The Beta Alpha Knights volunteered at Gale Elementary Community Academy where they assisted in cleanup efforts consisting of picking up trash, cleaning up the grounds, as well as adding a new coat of paint to the learning center.

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The Beta Eta chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK commemorated the civil rights leader’s birthday through their participation in a Day of Service at their campus. The brothers signed up for the University wide day of service and were assigned to the Free to Live animal

sanctuary. According to its website, the no kill animal sanctuary strives “To care for lost and abandoned dogs and cats; to assist in restoring lost pets to their ow

ners; to place unclaimed or abandoned pets in suitable homes; to educate children, adults, and the general public in the proper treatment of animals; to cooperate with other humane organizations and to erect and maintain facilities for said purposes”.

The brothers assisted the sanctuary by cleaning up the living spaces for the cats and dogs in their care, which has placed about 200 animals in permanent homes annually. The sanctuary does not practice euthanasia, meaning it does not put down animals that are not adopted. Rather, they provide them a safe living space, with ample food, and medical care.

The campus wide day of service was coordinated by the University of Central Oklahoma’s Volunteer and Service Learning Center. Students and student organizations signed up for job assignments and the VSLC coordinated the job sites and groups.

Through service and their focus on vulnerable populations, the brothers of the Beta Alpha and Beta Eta chapters reaffirmed their commitment to the light that ODPhi shines upon the world and paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.