Giving back to the community is a priority for the ladies of the Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter of Missouri Southern.

The Alphas have been involved in a cell phone drive in order to raise funds for the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics is a philanthropic opportunity for the sorority and will continue through 2007.

Teresa Rosebrough, senior psychology major, said for every cell phone that is recycled, $15 is collected and then donated to the Special Olympics.

Rosebrough said they have collected nearly 700 phones.

Teesha Morgan, junior undecided major, was an employee at a cell phone store and said stores such as Wireless Connections and 4-State Wireless have stood behind the cause.

“They’ve been awesome,” Morgan said.

Being involved in the Special Olympics is also personal for Morgan.

Morgan has a cousin who is autistic and also participates in the Special Olympics.

“It brings my family closer,” Morgan said.

One of Morgan’s most memorable moments in her involvement with the Special Olympics was at the Alpha Sigma Alpha’s District Days meeting in which all of the area chapters met and exchanged ideas.

“There was a special olympian athlete that gave a speech of appreciation in front of a group of 900 women,” she said.

Morgan said she thought that was courageous.

Because of similar situations, Morgan said she thinks it is important for Greek orginizations to become involved with events and organizations that do not necessarily serve them.

“It’s a sign of appreciation,” she said. “It’s important to give thanks to the community for supporting us.”

Morgan also said it helps others to get over the stigmas surrounding sororities.

“One of the misconceptions that people have about sororities is that we do nothing but party and that we are out for our own benefit,” she said.

Morgan said the Alphas, along with other Greeks, compile more than 100 hours of community service projects around both the campus and the community.

The Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter has been active at Southern’s campus for almost 12 years and started out as a teaching sorority.

During their rush week, the Alphas will also make educational placemats to send to the S. June Smith Center in Lancaster, Penn., a place for children with developmental disabilities.

Michelle Buck, freshman elementary education major, said the Alpha chapter was built on four aims.

“Our founders believed that to make a well rounded woman, to make a woman poised and perfect, a lady needs to have a strong intellectual, physical, social and spiritual aims in her life,” Buck said.

The Alphas are also planning a Car Bash where students and faculty can pay a dollar to take a few swings at an old vehicle right before finals.