| For the past 7 years, each Labor Day a small group of Alumni volunteers make the trek to Potsdam, to show the active members what work looked like “back in their day”. Labor Day 2020 was another record-breaking year. We absolutely crushed our goal of $18,000. Over 120 alumni donated $22,000. Over the past 7 years, we have raised $120,000. With roughly $50Kgoing toward the roof. Thank You Alumni! We thank Tim Dammann (15) for heading up the work crew in 2020. The Actives accomplished a fair amount of work over Labor Day 2020. Due to Covid, only actives worked on the house. Our main goal in 2020 was to re-paint the eaves. We also cleaned up the yard and did some trimming, which made our neighbors happy. |
Work Weekend 2019
Greetings Brothers,
Our main goal this year was to clean up the pantry and give it a refreshed look by adding a fresh coat of paint, new counter tops, cabinets, flooring, and 2 new refrigerators.
The following is a play-by-play of how work weekend unfolded by alumni Tim Dammaan:
When I arrived around 8 am Saturday morning we began by removing the two original refrigerators and anything else that was left in the pantry. The actives had removed most of the stuff during their work week. An alumni ran out to the Bagelry to get 3 dozen bagels, cream cheese and eggs for breakfast. While eating breakfast the actives expressed concern about the rotten steps off the coffee porch and we decided to replace them. We then ran out to Lowes to get supplies and when we returned more alumni had shown up.
We then split up into 4 groups containing both actives and alumni and got to work. Group 1 worked on demolishing and rebuilding the stairs. Group 2 worked on cleaning up the old furniture that needed to be thrown away and loaded up a truck with 5 old refrigerators that were taken to the scrap yard. Group 3 was in the basement cutting and digging a hole in the floor for the sump pump. Group 4 Worked on the pantry. The plumber then arrived around noon to begin installing the urinal in the first-floor bathroom.
We then broke for lunch at 1 pm when three sheet pizza’s were delivered from Sergi’s. After lunch we got back to work on our projects. By the end of Saturday Group 1 had dug and poured new footings. 4 posts for the railing were installed, and the rest of the lumber was cut for installation on Sunday. Group 2 had taken 5 refrigerators to the scrap yard and filled the dumpster with trash. Group 3 The new sump pump was installed. Group 4 Patched holes in sheetrock, replaced light bulbs, new ceiling tiles, flooring and cabinets were installed. The urinal had been installed as well.
On Sunday we focused on finishing up the remaining projects. The stairs were finished being built. The pantry was sanded, 3 coats of new paint, new molding installed, and appliances were moved in. Two new toilets were installed in the first-floor bathroom. With the new sump pump installed the actives were able to power wash the basement walls and floor. Two new dehumidifiers with pumps were installed and the garden beds around the house were weeded.
Labor Day 2018 – One Upping Ourselves Again!
After 5 years of successful work weekends, I am running out synonyms to describe how awesome everyone involved is. All in, we raised $26,300. topping our goal by 8K, and last year’s total by almost 4K.
We had 134 Alumni donate, and 6 Alumni volunteers show up to help out.
The biggest news for this year, is our Roof Replacement project is fully funded and work is set to begin at the end of September. Big thanks to everyone who has donated over the past 5 years and to everyone involved with the logistics of the project. Be on the look out for updates as the work begins.
This year presented a number of unique challenges. We actually finished our planned tasks faster than expected, even though the weather was not overly cooperative.
Our main goal for this year was to resurface the entire driveway and parking lot with new stone. After some measuring, it was calculated that we would need 78 tons! Luckily the folks at Perishville stone and gravel were up to the task. Little Dan was gracious enough to go up a day early and meet the delivery driver on Friday. All in, they had to deliver 3 full dump trucks of stone.
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When I arrived at 8:15 Saturday morning, the guys were already hard at work spreading the stone.
We worked up quite the appetite with all that shoveling and broke for lunch around 1. (Thanks to Fitzgerald Brothers Vending of Glens Falls for donating some beverages to support our caffeine habit.)
After lunch it was time to start tamping, so much tamping.
And more shoveling.
While some other folks started on our secondary projects.
We painted some more eaves, This year marks one full rotation around the house. (although, there are some spots that could use another coat already.)
As well as making some repairs to the circus porch decking before it was sanded and repainted.
We also threw out all the interior furniture that had become outdoor furniture over the years and purchased some actual patio furniture for the front and circus porches (not all pictured).
What was surprising, was we managed to finish almost all of this work on Saturday. It was good thing too, because it absolutely poured on Sunday.
Unfortunately, due to sustaining an injury Saturday evening, i was forced to leave early. As i hobbled toward the car Sunday morning, Alumni were leading the Actives in a vigorous cleaning of the kitchen to avoid the rain.
As another fund raising season ends, i would like to personally thank everyone that has donated and volunteered, We cannot do this without you.
Thank you to Terry -TZ- Moran for continuing to spearhead our fund raising campaigns. As well as Lew Blum and J.R. Augustine for lending Terry a hand this year.
Thank you to all our 2018 Alumni volunteers: Dan Rissacher, Tim Dammann, Chris Welsh, Logan Adams, Calvin Flood, and Canaan Nelson.
Thank You,
Chris Welsh ’06
Labor Day 2017 – Another Record Breaking Year
2017 was another record breaking year. We absolutely crushed our goal of $18,000. At the time of this post, our total stands at $22,720 with donations still making their way to us. Simply amazing!!
This year, due to a scheduling conflict with the start of classes, work took place a week prior to Labor Day. As such we had a few less workers than previous years, but a fair amount was still accomplished.
We started with a little light yard work-pulling weeds, mulching beds, and disposing of a stump (a project we started last year).
While the yard was being tended to, some other brothers started on (the now time honored tradition of) painting eaves.
With the yard work complete, it was time for lunch.
(18 feet of sub – before and after a bunch of college guys got to it.)
Finally, it was on to the main task of the weekend – striping and painting the porch decking.
However the biggest news of the weekend is with this year’s fundraising nearly complete, we are now in a position to begin scheduling the roof repairs. Keep an eye out for more updates about this exciting news throughout the year.
We thank you all immensely and know we could not do this without your support. Thank you to all of the donors, all of the volunteers, and all of the families who continue to put up with our shenanigans year after year.
On behalf of Terry -TZ- Moran, The Alumni E-board, and the Active Chapter we sincerely appreciate your continued support of the Organization.
Thank You,
Chris Welsh ’06
Labor Day 2016 – Another Rousing Success
Year after year we the brothers of OPiO continue to amaze me with their generosity, determination and hard work. 2016 was no different. We set a substantial goal, and everyone rose to the challenge.
- 3 months of campaigning
- A googleplex of emails sent by TZ
- 25 breakfast sandwiches
- 6 cubic yards of mulch
- 23 shrubs
- 6 alumni volunteers
- 2 girlfriend volunteers
- 99 Donors
- $18,525 raised
While all of those numbers are impressive, that last number is simply astounding.
This year’s work continued the focus of restoring the exterior beauty of our beloved 14 Leroy St.
A crew was set to task repairing and painting the eaves, windows, and other various around the house.
While others tackled the landscaping.
Finally, a last group set about repairing a section of front porch that had fallen victim to the elements.
Some seldom seen neighbors dropped by to see what was going on.
Something even more scarcely seen at OPiO stopped by to lend a hand,
while the guys took part in some good old fashion government work.
The crew manged to stay on budget for the weekend, keep all the work to $3,000. The results speak for themselves.
Awesome job guys!
Sticking to the $3,000 budget allowed us to bank just over $15,000 toward the roof replacement. Putting us well on our way to having that project completely funded. If you would like to know more about the roof replacement plans, please take a moment to read through them at the bottom of the Labor Day page.
With Labor Day 2016 behind us, we set our sites toward the coming school year, a great pledge class, continued roof replacement work, and of course Labor Day 2017.
We thank you all immensely, and know we could not do this without your support.
Thank you to all the donors, all the volunteers, and all the families that put up with our shenanigans year after year.
On behalf of; Terry -TZ- Moran, The Alumni Eboard, and the Active Chapter we sincerely appreciate your continued support of the organization.
Thank You
Chris Welsh ’06
Supporting our furry friends
Morgan the cat.
The Active Chapter is participating in a Clarkson sponsored fundraiser to support the Potsdam Human Society. Our furry friends (and the actives) could really use your help. They are competing against other Greek houses and clubs to see who can raise the most.
If you would like to help, please head over to the Omicron Pi Omicron Team Page and donate today.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to active member Victor Mars (marsanvg@clarkson.edu) and he would be happy to assist.
–Who can say no to that face.
Relay For Life 2016
The Active Chapter is once again participating in the Relay For Life of Clarkson University on Friday, March 25, 2016.
They could really use your help in the fight against cancer!
If you would like to help, please head over to the Omicron Pi Omicron Team Page and donate today.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to active member Victor Mars (marsanvg@clarkson.edu) and he would be happy to assist.
Spring Alumni Weekend 2016
Greetings;
The 2016 Spring Alumni Weekend will be held from Friday, February 26th, 2016 to Sunday, February 28th, 2016.
This coincides with the first annual Clarkson “Cold Out, Gold Out” (COGO) Event. Clarkson will be holding numerous on campus activities. As well as providing transportation to/from some north eastern metropolitan areas and shuttle service around Potsdam for the weekend.
If you have not made it back up to OPiO in a while, now is the time to do so. Take advantage of the Clarkson sponsored transportation and coerce your fellow brothers to come relive a simpler time.
Look forward to seeing you.
Christopher “Head” Welsh
Labor Day 2015 – Mission Accomplished!!!
We started out with one goal for the 2015 Labor Day Work Weekend, to out do 2014. I am happy to say we succeeded and then some.
I would like to start out by thanking all of the donors who made the great work we did possible. We destroyed our original fund raising goal of $3,500, then blew past our $10,000 stretch goal to a final total of $11,364.27. That is truly remarkable and shows what we can achieve together. There are too many donors to list here, 65 in total, but please know you have our sincerest thanks for your donations. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who challenged their fellow brothers to match their donations. This had a tremendous positive impact on the event. One cannot discuss the fund raising for these weekends without mentioning Terry -TZ- Moran. His tenacious E-Mail campaigns have been the backbone of our fundraising efforts (as well as the bane of everyone’s spam filters).
I would also like to thank all of our alumni volunteers for donating their time, sweat, and sanity (assuming they had any to begin with).
A special shout out goes to JR Augustine for his relentless work in finding a new stove for the kitchen, and it is a beauty! JR found the stove outside of Philly and also trailered it all the way up to Potsdam for us.
Also to Tim Dammann for once again leading our construction efforts. His tireless pre-event organization and breadth of knowledge has been key to the success of these weekends (I’m not sure that is the proper use for that tool).
Our original goal was to simply build on the great efforts of last year and continue repairing/painting down the sides of the house. Between the tremendous fundraising job and JR’s stove, We decided to doubled down and give the kitchen a much needed refresh as well. We decided to work on the kitchen as it is the main entryway into the house these days, and therefore the first thing the public and potential members see inside. In conjunction with the work done outside, it makes for quite a nice first impression.
The kitchen received new cabinets, counter tops, drop ceiling, moldings, stove, and one of the most through cleanings the house has ever seen. Anyone would be proud to call this their kitchen now.
Before:
Working:
After:
However, that is not to say we skimped on the originally planned work. Focusing on the north side of the house (facing the field), we painted (and repaired where possible) the eaves, window trim and basically anything that is not brick.
Before:
Working:
After:
You would think we would be done with all that, but there was still the Nick Bernal back stair challenge. Using the funds raised we replaced, patched, mudded, and sanded the back stairwell. The actives were hard at work painting it as the day drew to an end. Be sure to be on the lookout for the completed photos in the near future.
All in we spent just over $5,000 on the weekends work. Early on in the planning phase it became easily apparent that we could not wisely and effectively spend all the money raised in just one weekend. The remainder of the funds have been earmarked for the impending roof replacement. We are currently in the process of vetting contractors, getting quotes, and assessing different roofing material options. With a current extremely rough estimate of $30K, the remaining ~$6,000 from this weekend is a welcome addition to that ongoing fundraising effort.
I would also like to make note of a project the actives are taking on independently, which is a full rehab of the Twilight Zone. the project is still in the demo phase, but they are making good progress. If it turns out half as nice as the last room they rehabbed, the sun porch, it will be sure to be a sought after room. I will be adding a separate blog post in the near future regarding the work done in the sun porch for anyone who may have missed it.
Moving into the coming school year, there will be a heavy emphasis on the roof. While this work will be mainly done by a contractor, that is not to say we will not be actively planning Labor Day 2016. Our current list of goals include finishing the eave repair, and other exterior beautification projects such as new landscaping. We are also assessing the feasibility of rehabbing some of the other high visibility first floor rooms in need of repair, such as the bathroom off the kitchen and the pantry/coat room. If you have any suggestions for projects, or would like to take an active role in the planning process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Eboard@OmicronPiOmicron.com.
Labor Day 2015 was a rousing success. We will continue to grow this tradition in 2016 and beyond. We need alumni help in all arenas, whether you’re a skilled carpenter or don’t know what a Phillips head screwdriver is. The benefit to the structure of the house is greatly improved with alumni assistance. But more importantly, the presence of alumni willing to continue putting sweat into the brotherhood benefits the young men who are our active brothers and the fraternity as a whole. These weekends are just as much about bonding with and mentoring the active chapter as they are about repairing our beloved 14 Leroy st.
On behalf of; Terry -TZ- Moran, The Alumni Eboard, and the Active Chapter we sincerely appreciate your continued support of the organization.
Thank You
Dog for a Dog
Omicron Pi Omicron Fraternity raised $182.00 for PHS with a “Dog for a Dog” hotdog fundraiser!
Thank you guys for all your hard work!! They stand here with “Queeny” and “Snickers” our two new guinea pigs that are available for adoption. Rodney (our ferret) had to wiggle himself into the photo as well.
