This is a story of Alpha Kai Omega Fraternity and it is a story that again, proves that any group without an objective dedicated to the service of others is not a strong group, nor a healthy group, that is likely to last long.
For the roots of the AKO, planned by the Charter Members, stressed the friendship within the group and the members were proud and happy that such friendships would be continued by holding the fraternity together after graduation. This was done and the roots developed a strong healthy trunk still based on eternal friendship. But it was soon seen that the roots and trunk were not sufficient to hold together a group of young men. For like a tree or flower, the branches or stems are what contain the beauty, the leaves, the blooms and the fruit.
So the AKO started to branch out, and soon its name was being noted in local sport and service circles. But this era of progress was rudely interrupted by the call of duty, and when more than 90 percent of the members donned the fighting uniforms of their Country, the group became inactive for about three years.
Peace brought almost immediate re-organization and the tragic revelation that five of the most active and popular members were no longer with us. Spurred on by the memory of their departed brothers, the fraternity members decided to devote their activities to service work, particularly among our youth.
Perhaps the most inspiring period in the AKO’s history was when some of the parents of the departed members requested permission to take over their son’s interest in the organization. They also donated the AKO golf trophy as a lasting memorial to those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Today finds the AKO, one of the most active service groups in the City of Windsor, and proud of its reputation as the Dominion’s leading promoter of junior sports. For it is safe to say, that more boys and girls have worn AKO Football, Track, Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Volleyball, Golf, and Boxing uniforms than any other single organization behind junior sports. We are proud of our work, among the youth of our district. We can point with envy to our record of service with the Windsor Goodfellows, Blind Institute, special community drives and our development of the AKO Community Park and Community Centre.
The 2010 year will represent the 64th year that AKO has participated in the Canadian Junior Football league. The AKO Fraternity and community are proud of their National Championship teams of 1952, 1954, and 1999.
www.akofraternity.com
