Albany’s Eta Omicron chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity gives back in holiday community initiatives

ALBANY – The men of the Eta Omicron chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity are gearing up for their fifth annual Christmas Uplift and third annual Shop with a Que events this Christmas season.

On Dec. 21, the brothers will host a feast and clothing drive for community members in need at the Sand Trap parking lot at 1412 Radium Springs Road from 11 a.m. until about 2 p.m. The free event is in partnership with community nonprofit We Are One Albany.

Elijah Macon, a member of the fraternity and president of the nonprofit, said it’s a day of fellowship, good food and giving. Macon said when the fraternity first started the initiative, it fed about 200 people. Last year, the number surpassed 400.

Jesse Massey, a fraternity brother, said the group is expecting the event to grow even more this year. The fraternity will be on site, cooking on four different grills, beginning at 5 a.m. to prepare for the crowd, which he said attracts people of all ages and backgrounds.

The clothing drive is made up of donated clothes and accessories from fraternity members and their families.

“We’re really looking forward to making it happen because there’s a real need,” Massey said.

Eta Omicron’s spirit of giving doesn’t end at the Sand Trap. On Dec. 23, the fraternity brothers will take part in Shopping with a Que, which is a partnership with Dougherty County Schools to give gifts to students in need.

Macon said the group communicates with correspondents within DCSS’ 22 schools to find one student in need from each one. Those students and their families meet up with the brothers at Target, where they’re gifted a $150 shopping spree. This year, Eta Omicron also will help four youths from the Open Arms Foster Care Center.

Macon said several of the fraternity members are educators or retired educators and know how difficult the holiday season can be for some families.

“We see the state of a lot of students in the system … what some of the families endure,” he said. “It’s just knowing that those needs are out there and doing that one thing we can to truly make a difference.”

Macon said the fraternity started small with this initiative, helping 10 students in need. It’s grown significantly over the years. One year, he said he was able to serve a former student’s child. He said he was excited to reconnect.

Macon said the mother told him that she hadn’t been sure how she was going to get Christmas gifts that year.

“We helped put a smile on the child’s face,” he said. “That was truly a blessing in and of itself.”

Another year, Macon said he was shopping for a young girl. She kept track of how much money she was spending, and when she reached a certain amount, asked if she could use the rest for her brother. Macon agreed to pay for gifts for both of them.

“She just lit up because she could take care of her brother as well,” he said.

Macon said the experience is always touching for all involved.

Massey said the Eta Omicron fraternity has always been committed to serving the community. During Black Friday, he said the group raised $1,000 for the Salvation Army in just two days.

Anyone in need is invited on Dec. 21. Just follow the smell of the barbecue.