Who let the dogs out

Photo By: Ana Valentine

Second Change Animal Shelter had puppies like this beagle/hound mix for adoption at Dog Day Afternoon at Reeves Park sunday.

Hundreds of volunteer hours and public awareness campaigns are things that look good on paper for the Animal Volunteer Alliance group, but it is the hearts they touch that make the biggest difference.

With Oklahoma having the second most puppy mills in the United States, the Animal Volunteer Alliance also known as A.V.A is an animal welfare group on campus that strives to make changes in animal treatment in Norman.

“We believe we should help because we have an advantage over animals there for it is our job to care for them,” President Kathryn Hodges said.

The group was started last year and has been continually growing ever since, volunteers are required to have 5 hours of volunteer hours a week, but many exceed this.

As many of us are animal lovers, the group focuses on educating students about proper animal care and raises awareness about the responsibilities of animal ownership.

President Kathryn Hodges said that many college students do not think of the time and responsibility that come with owning an animal. They think about what they want, rather than if the animal would benefit from having them as an owner.

“I got a dog from the shelter because I knew they had no other life if i didnt help.
there are so many dogs that die daily and I wanted to help, also shelter dogs come with all the shots and they are fixed,” student Rebecca Redcorn said.

Redcorn said that she later sold the dog because she realized he needed a home that could give him more attention and afford him financially.

The group will be participating in various volunteer activities through out the year such as the Wild Care Open house and Second Chance events. For an opportunity to give back you can donate a bag of cat food to the A.V.A box in the Union.

Philanthropies

Photo By: Ana Valentine

Eli Young Band performs at the Phi Delta Theta House to raise money for ALS.

As the holidays approach the simple phrase “it is better to give than to receive” plays over in people minds. Many think of Thanksgiving or Christmas but here on OU’s campus that can only mean one thing, philanthropies.

South Greek boomed with music last night as the Eli Young Band performed in Phi Delta Theta’s backyard, and Delta Upsilon threw a block party on Tuesday for the kick-off of OU/Texas weekend.

For many it may seem like one big party but the fact of the matter is that by putting on these events thousands of dollars are raised for various charities across Oklahoma.

“Words can’t express how smoothly the entire event went said Phi Delta member Clark McCaskill.” “The best part is that all the money goes to ALS the fight for Lou Gehrigs disease, its really meaningful to us because Lou Gehrig was actually a member of Phi Delta.”

Tri Delta’s Pancake Breakfast benefits the children at St. Jude, the hospital has a special room for teenagers that is sponsored by the sorority said member Chinh Doan.

Every year new philanthropy events are formed, but for most they are a continuous tradition.

“A lot of organization, planning and publicity go into it, but what makes it worth while is knowing your focus and motivation is for something greater, its not for selfish reason, your motivation is ignited from helping other people and that is where our success stems from in our philanthropies,” said Tayler Pierce Chi Omega philanthropy chair.

Chi-O Cravings will be hosted November 2^nd.

Save the Ta-Ta's

As fall approaches midterms are not the only thing on students’ minds, the slogan “Think Pink” can be seen popping up around campus and health issues are brought to everyone’s attention.

According to the Susan G. Komen website, every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer.

For that exact reason the Women’s Out Reach Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have been working together for 7 years to raise awareness on Oklahoma’s campus.

Women’s Out Reach Coordinator, Kathy Moxley, said that 2 fulltime staff members and around 30 volunteers help to organize informational events around campus for the students.

“The biggest risk for developing breast cancer is being a women and growing older, and that’s all women, so we all need to be worried about this and concerned,” Moxley said.

Moxley said the events just as the Health Hut will promote breast health and inform students of the risks and warning signs of developing cancer.

“The Four keys to breast health are know your risk, get screened, know your body, and healthy lifestyle choices,” graduate assistant, Elizabeth Hart said.

In the upcoming weeks Women’s Out Reach Center will be sponsoring several Health Huts, a Zumba-thon and other activities such as Climb for Komen and the Pink and Black ball.

Here we are to worship. . .

Praise, worship, and faith were just three of the elements that students brought to Thursdays Stumo meeting. The music playing and the high energy drew people in to the building but it was the warm faces and love that keep people coming back.

Stumo is a non-denominational religious group that is directed towards college students. The bible study meets each week to help walk students through the bible and give them a chance to discuss their faith with fellow students.

Sooner Campus Director Brent Orr said that the goal of Stumo is to raise up spiritual leaders who will reach out to other students on campus.

The organization has been on campus for 5 years and has grown in numbers each year.

Orr said the group meets every week on Thursday nights but also has 30 to 40 student hosted bible studies through out the week on campus.

“It has given me a spiritual community outside of my sorority and my church, with more fellowship and community worship with other college students,” Sophomore Shannon Bass said.

“We see colleges as a sending base to spiritual leaders, we find people that have a heart for god and a heart for people and we send those people out to the world,” Orr said.

For students who want to take their love for god off campus Stumo offers a summer program. Kaleo is a nine week project for spiritual training that students can apply to participate in. The group will spend their time learning about worship and the practical skills for starting an on campus ministry group.