That first small step.

One step which would end up meaning a lot, for now & always.

Half a decade ago, when I purchased my first shirt from the Emporium, I made that first small step towards becoming the selfless, faithful giver whom I am now. As would be the case with other purchases I've made from Brentwood since then, I would also be giving back to an organization who I'd end up having the utmost love & respect for.

My first purchase provided some closure to questions I had been asking myself up to then: Who can I help? How can I help? Who can I give back to? The Emporium was one place I could go & give back to the sisterhood; the Foundation was yet another place I could turn to & lend my support. (A little further on: the Arthritis Foundation.) To tell you the truth, that first gift would be the start of a love story, the beginning of something beautiful: giving not for self-glory but giving for the greter good of all, giving back to the Greek community without any compulsion, without any reluctance.

Sure, that first gift or Emporium purchase I made five-odd years ago might not have seemed like much at the time. In the same way, the gifts I have given back to the Foundation might not be the greatest. Yet they truly count, truly mean something wonderful - still do. And these words from Anne Buechlein Wilmes, an AOII alumna (Chi Lambda - University of Evansville), are so right on: "I have learned from many organizations that small gifts made on a regular basis always add up to make a difference. My gifts are not large, but when combined with others, I believe they really count."

A lot of men who have female friends in sororities could learn a lot from my experience: of course, they also might be surprised about the whole idea of giving back to their favorite ladies as if to say, "I'm not an AOII, a Chi O or an A-Phi; what does this have to do with me?" Fair enough - to a point. It's not because they don't understand how beneficial giving back to this Foundation or that truly is & it's not because they don't care - certainly, they do understand & care. It's because they don't ask the questions I asked myself a few years back: They know who to help, no doubt, but don't ask how or by what means they can provide that help. Giving back, a small first step it might be, helps to support one's favorite sisters in more ways than one: educational programs, leadership training, chapter-related events, whatever philanthropy their Foundations support (e.g. The Arthritis Foundation, Cardiac Care, Speech & Hearing, The Painted Turtle among others).

Returning to yours truly & his first Emporium purchase, one can say that I'm a Greek brother helping his favorite sisters out with an unselfish, honest-to-goodness spirit - I most certainly am. Yet think of who else I'm helping out along the way: Whether they go to IU, Western Kentucky, Ball State, etc. I'm giving back not solely for a good cause, but - still sounding like a skipping record again - to brighten the days of who knows how many ladies, to show my sincere appreciation & support like nobody else around. "I didn't do this for me; I did this for you." At the same time, I'm keeping the alumnae in mind.

That first small step towards giving back to my favorite organization was one step I'm glad I made while I was ahead. It was also another way for me to become a sweetheart, one of the most thoughtful & adorable duders around.