Our International Philanthropy
Serving the world around us is one of AOII’s founding principles. While local chapters are encouraged to support philanthropic opportunities in their communities, all chapters support AOII’s international philanthropy, which is arthritis. Since 1967, the Fraternity has enjoyed an important partnership with the Arthritis Foundation. AOII's philanthropic mission is to raise money for and spread awareness and understanding of arthritis and its more than 100 related diseases.
Dollars donated to the Arthritis Foundation support arthritis research, Juvenile Arthritis Power Packs, Juvenile Arthritis Camps and Conferences and so much more.
Supporting the AOII Foundation
The promise to serve can be seen in the relationships between sisters as we work together to help others, or contribute to the AOII Foundation to enable scholarships and aid to other sisters.
The AOII Foundation’s Mission Statement is to invest in our sisters and inspire a lifetime of giving to innovative leadership, educational and philanthropic causes. We are proud to support the AOII Foundation which is able to offer our members academic and leadership scholarship opportunities, as well as grants and emergency assistance to sisters in dire need.
Strike Out Arthritis!
By holding Strike Out Arthritis! events, AOII is collectively able to contribute millions of dollars toward education initiatives, assistance for families affected by arthritis, and new research that will hopefully one day find a cure!
Local Philanthropic Efforts
One of AOII's core values is service to others. KCAOII participates with national AOIIs in supporting the Arthritis Foundation through events like the Walk to Cure Arthritis, Strike Out Arthritis and the Jingle Bell Run. This partnership, one AOII has had since 1967, is an important to AOIIs across the world.
Each year we also have a fundraiser flower sale to help raise funds for the KCAOII chapter. The sale is hosted in the spring with orders usually due around the end of March. Plants are sourced from local nurseries include many types of flowers. The flowers are available for pickup in the beginning of May. AOIIs, friends, and family are all encouraged to participate in this fundraiser. Partial proceeds from this sale go to the Arthritis Foundation.
We also support organizations in and around Kansas City. In the past, we've raked leaves for the elderly, dined and shopped for dollars, sorted books, and joined happy hours. Our VP of Philanthropy keeps sisters engaged and educated on causes close to AOII's heart. Our Panhellenic Delegate ensures KCAOII is active in the Greater Kansas City Panhellenic fundraising and service events as well.
