Campus chapter of service fraternity raises $3,000+ for Black Visions Collective

Members of SUNY New Paltz’s student-led chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity, organized an all-digital fundraiser this month, generating more than $3,000 for an anti-racist organization based in Minnesota.

“Alphi Phi Omega is dedicated to developing leadership skills, promoting and fostering friendship and providing service to humanity on small and large scales,” said Melanie Fernandez ’20 (Business Analytics; Finance), current president of the Alpha Gamma Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.

“Keeping this in mind, our chapter has committed to spreading awareness of and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and we decided one of the ways we’d be able to help was by raising money for the cause.”

Chapter leaders put out a call for donations on Instagram (@aponewpaltz) on June 2, and the response was overwhelming: Donors contributed more than $2,500 in just the first two days of the campaign.

By June 7 they had raised $3,042 for Black Visions Collective, an advocacy organization based in Minnesota that works for racial justice, equity and political empowerment.

“Moving forward, we will continue to fight for social justice as it is aligned with our core pillars of leadership, friendship and service,” Fernandez said.

Get in touch with the New Paltz chapter of Alphi Phi Omega on Instagram or at alphaphiomeganewpaltz15@gmail.com to learn more about opportunities to collaborate and support their mission.