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BY THE LIFETIME ENGAGEMENT VOLUNTEER SPECIALIST TEAM
Most Alpha Chi Omega members know that Hera Day is celebrated each year on March 1 as a day of service to others. But what do you really know about Hera Day and how it came about in our traditions?
Hera Day honors our patron goddess, Hera, and is reminiscent of the Heraea, a festival of ancient Greece held in the spring to honor the wedding of Hera and Zeus. In Alpha Chi Omega traditions, we have observed Hera Day since 1911 with a mission of helpfulness to others.
In our archives, we can locate many references to early observations of Hera Day. As described in The First Fifty Years:
“Simply and quietly, alone or in chapter groups, the members of the fraternity devote that day to the doing of small deeds of kindness, to alleviate suffering, to bring hope to the underprivileged…The methods of spreading Hera Day cheer are so varied that only a few can be mentioned. Yet essentially all are similar, in that they mean giving….it is a dedication of personal talent, personal effort, to the wellbeing of others…”
Hera Day 2023 falls on Wednesday, March 1. We would like to empower and challenge all Alpha Chi Omegas everywhere, individually or in groups, to dedicate themselves to devoting at least one hour of service to others this Hera Day. We’d like to capture the power of our collective sisterhood in living to benefit others that day. Can you imagine the power of 245,000 women doing good all on the same day?! Grab a sister-friend and make a plan now.
Here are some suggestions for service ideas for volunteering, whether on your own or as a group. Use these to inspire your own Hera Day plans!
Share your stories and pictures of your efforts with us, as well as the number of hours you serve to help us quantify our collective sister service efforts! Please use this simple Google form and use the hashtags below on social media.
Most importantly, have a great time while serving others in an impactful way!
#AXODayofService #HeraDay