Holiday Gift Exchange

We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays together, and we missed everyone who wasn't able to join us that evening.  We enjoyed welcoming two collegians from Delta Rho Chapter and two new members to our alumnae chapter!

We were thrilled that so many sisters were able to join us during the holiday season! 

Gayle couldn't attend but dropped off these fancy desserts from a Danish bakery that we enjoyed.  Thanks, Gayle!! 

We had to get creative with seating to fit everyone for the business meeting portion of our evening. 

 Front Row: Patti, Ellen, Jessie W-G, and Jessie C.

Back Row: Debby, Jan, and Cat

 Jenna, Ogechi, Jessie, and Kristen

We were thrilled that Jenna and Ogechi (Delta Rho Collegians) were home on break and could join us.  They were impressed with how fun our business meeting are!

Foundation Board Secretary and CWS member, Jessie W-G,

gave us an update on wonderful Foundation news!  

Everyone brought wonderful gifts for the gift exchange and went home happy with something fun! 

We now have three Jessies!!

Jessie W-G, Jessie C., and Jessie K. 

Kristen demonstrating ways to wear the scarf she brought for the gift exchange. 

Throwing what we know!

WTTW11 Pledge Drive with Rick Steves

Some of our sisters (and husbands) volunteered at WTTW Ch.11 in Chicago on December 3, 2012.  They're doing a pledge drive, so we answered phones and took pledges.  It was a long, late, interesting, and  fun evening volunteering while travel guru Rick Steves was the on-air entertainment!  Thank you to all of our sisters, family, and friends who watched the telethon, pledged, posted on facebook in real-time, and shared our enthusiasm for such a fun philanthropic project!  A big "thank you" goes to Vicky for organizing the event and ordering our new t-shirts!!

Marcie, Chris, Vicky, and Fran 

Amy and Ann 

Anna and her husband, John 

Jennifer

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Several of our sisters participated in and volunteered at the Jingle Bell Run on December 1, 2012 in Wheaton.  We had a wonderful time serving the Arthritis Foundation on a unseasonable warm and sunny day!  Thank you to everyone who supported us with their donations.  So far we've raise $875 for the Arthritis Foundation!!  There's still time to donate.  If you're interested in making a donations, please click here.

We ran/walked, coordinated volunteers, passed out goodie bags, and helped out with anything else that was needed.  One person asked, "Is AOII sponsoring this event?"  We definitely had a presence that day!

Judie and Natalie R. 

Cat and her family 

Debby, Anna, and Dina

November Game Night

We had a great time at Debby's house this week for Game Night!  We all dug out our vintage AOII-gear and represent every decade from the 1960s on.

Jessie, Natalie, Marcie, and Anna getting snacks before the meeting! 

Kate, Julie, and Patti 

 Anna, Jessie, Ellen, and Karen choosing which yummy nuts and snacks out of our extras they'd like to buy.

Our nut sale has been a successful fundraiser for us for many years. 

Natalie, Cat, Kate, Natalie, Karen, and Elizabeth writing cards to 

U.S. military personnel for Operation Holiday Card.

 Amy enjoying snacks!

 Jessie and her sparkly AOII hoodie!

 Our homage to Charlie's Angels!

 

We never did this *back in the day,* but we're always trying new things!

Iota Chapter Initiation Weekend

 Kathy S., Chris M., and Natalie G. went to the University of Illinois to visit Iota Chapter and participate with in initiation.  They brought all of these yummy snacks that the sisters of the Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapter collected for Iota.

 The women of Iota Chapter loved all of the snacks!

 They really appreciate them!

One of our AC members filled 194 envelopes with quarters - 

the most valuable form of currency on a college campus!

 The Iota Chapter House

Did you know that Kathy (Nu Iota) met her husband, Phil (a Phi Sigma Kappa at Illinois) while planning a trip to visit Beta Phi Chapter (Indiana) back in the day?  She was set up with him as her date for the trip.  And after he pinned her, his fraternity serenaded her at the Iota Chapter house.  How sweet!

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Chris A. (and her family), Chris M., Ed and Suzette R., and Vicky S. volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on Saturday, October 27, 2012.  They worked with many other volunteers to pack 1201 "adult boxes" of food for hungry people in Cook Co.

 We met, Toni, a Phi Chi sister who was volunteering with her church that day!  She got so excited when she saw us wearing our letters!  We enjoyed working with her, and she was a lot of fun!  And what's that she's holding?  A Sisterhood Card!!

 Judie, Chris, Chris, Suzette, and Vicky getting ready to pack boxes.

Now we're almost ready with the tuna and cornflakes. 

Action shot!  Those boxes flew down the tables getting filles with at least fourteen cans of food, corn flakes, and spaghetti in each!

  Suzette had the corn flakes under control!

Delta Rho AOII Song Workshop

The women of Delta Rho Chapter had a lot of fun at their song workshop on October 21, 2012.  Look at all of those smiling "Flamin' Alpha" faces!  Ssss!

Margaret Upson Barber 1912-2012

We're deeply saddened that our dear Margaret passed away.  She was always a joy to visit and loved sharing her AOII stories with us.  "She was truly an example of sisterhood for a lifetime." - a sister

We're happy that Margaret was able to see her story shared on AOII's website earlier this year here as well as on pp.60-61 of To Dragma here.  Please share your memories of Margaret in the Comments below.

Snacks, Keychains, and Emergency Preparedness - Oh My!

Twenty-seven sisters joined us at Julie's house in Wheaton at our October meeting.  We collected yummy snacks for Iota Chapter and made cute AOII keychains for their 54 new members!  We collected books and canned goods for our local P.A.D.S. shelter.  Fran's husband, Don, was our guest speaker.  He spoke about how we can be prepared for emergencies (due to weather, utility issues, etc.)  It was a very fun evening and way too crowded to take a group picture.  Here are some images from the evening....

Don explaining the importance of practicing family procedures and

stockpiling 5 days worth of food, water, and supplies in case of emergencies.

 Kathy, Vicky, Jessie & Fran

 Yvonne writing a note to a new member of Iota Chapter

 Vicky, Jessie, Ellen, Dina, Cat & Fran's hands making key chains for Iota's new members

 Nancy, Jan, Dolle & Patti

 Cat, Donna, Gayle & Jessie

 Julie, Debby & Sharon

 Cat, Natalie & Fran

 Carolyn & Maureen

 Karen & Vicky

 Marcie

Debby, Jan, Maureen, Patti, Dolle & Nancy catching up!