A fallen tree could just barely be made out above the water. A lake replaced what used to be an open crop field. Debris was scattered in the water and on what little land could be seen. Natural disasters such as the two hurricanes that recently struck Florida and other coastal states, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, have left parts of the states in shambles. Alpha Gamma Chapter at the University of Florida has sent out brothers after both hurricanes to help clean up for farmers and other residential areas affected by the storms.
Brother Robert Belcher, Noble Ruler of the Alpha Gamma Chapter, said many of the brothers in the chapter were affected by the hurricanes. Several of their hometowns were struck by the devastation.
“For our guys – it was really fulfilling for them,” Brother Belcher said. “It’s hard work, getting out there, especially after a hurricane.”
He explained that the brothers who helped clean up did the work expecting nothing in return. Brother Belcher said the brothers spent several days helping out impacted communities with a smile on their faces, maintaining a positive light throughout the devastation.
After hurricane Helene, Alpha Gamma Chapter dispersed to agricultural communities up to nearly four hours away from the chapter in Gainesville. The brothers spent a couple of days helping with laborious tasks.
Brother Belcher noted that it wasn’t officers in the chapter who came up with the idea to help communities, it was general members who saw a need and that they were able to fulfill it.
He said brothers approached him and other leaders in the chapter asking for supplies so they could do tasks like cutting up fallen trees. He noted that the chapter purchased a chainsaw and a few other items that brothers took with them to aid the cleanup.
“When it comes to work like this, you really have to force some people to do it, and it’s not fun,” Brother Belcher said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth in terms of the Alpha Gamma Chapter – it was one of the most organic movements that I’ve seen in an organization.”
“When it comes to work like this, you really have to force some people to do it, and it’s not fun,” Brother Belcher said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth in terms of the Alpha Gamma Chapter – it was one of the most organic movements that I’ve seen in an organization.”
Brother Belcher said he was proud to see his fellow Alpha Gamma brothers step up on their own. He said it was a true testament to the leadership within the chapter.
When the chapter announced that they would be starting a cleanup, some of their connections throughout the state heard and recommended the chapter to those who needed help, many of whom are elderly farmers.
“It’s just hard for them to get out and take care of it (cleaning up) themselves,” Brother Belcher said.
He noted that taking those recommendations made the process more effective by targeting those areas, especially producers. Brother Belcher elaborated on producers being a big necessity after a natural disaster such as hurricanes. He explained how important it was to get them back on their feet so they could help others.
Brother Belcher also said that some brothers went out on their own to help residential communities or their own communities.
As of right now, Alpha Gamma Chapter has plans on assisting with their campus’ Interfraternity Council (IFC) in an organized cleanup supported by the Greek community on campus. Brother Belcher said if other AGR chapters want to assist in the cleanup, materials and equipment are sorely needed, such as chainsaws and other items needed to remove large debris such as trees, as well as nonperishable foods and water.
