At the Ohio State Chapter of Acacia Fraternity, we take time every other weekend to volunteer a few hours at the Ronald McDonald House at Children's Hospital here in Columbus, Ohio. If you would like to volunteer for community service and would like to be a part of this charity. Please contact our Service Director, Brother Matthew Taylor

On April 4th, 2008, The Ohio State University chapter of ACACIA sponsored a Battle of the Bands fundraiser to support the Ronald McDonald House. On this night, we raised nearly $1300 for this charity!

In 1978, Acacia named the Shriners Hospitals (which specialize in pediatric burn care) as our national human service project. These hospitals — located in Boston, MA; Cincinnati, OH; Galveston, TX; and Sacramento, CA — treat children with acute, fresh burns; children needing reconstructive or restorative surgery as a result of "healed" burns; children with severe scarring resulting in contractures or interference with mobility of the limbs; and children with scarring and deformity of the face. All care provided by Shriners Hospitals is done so free of charge, and no child is turned away. Recognizing the lack of medical expertise in the burn care field, the Shrine of North America originated this area of specialty in the 1960s with the three-fold purpose of treating severely burned children, conducting research and improving methods of burn treatment, and training and educating medical personnel in the care and treatment of burn injuries. Shriners Hospitals remain pioneers in burn treatment and provide excellent medical care to severely burned children. These institutes are actively involved in research, and many of the advances in burn care have been the result of Shriners Hospitals investigations. Since the Shriners Hospitals first opened, the survival rate for children with burns over 50 percent of their total body surface area has doubled. Today, these specialized hospitals are saving the lives of children with burns over more than 90 percent of their total body surface area. This impressive survival rate has been achieved through today's improved surgical procedures, medical technology and the coordinated efforts of many hospital staff members.

On March 9th, 2007, The Ohio State University chapter of ACACIA sponsored a Battle of the Bands fundraiser to support the Shriners Hospitals. On this night, we raised over $750 for this charity!

Each year during the holiday season, Acacia chapters around the country collect new, unwrapped toys for children who might otherwise not receive presents. Dubbed Acacia Claus, this annual toy drive is designed to assist local organizations in our chapters' communities. Chapters are encouraged to put their own personal spin on the event — which often involves partnering with local retailers to solicit donations of toys or money from residents and customers. Some chapters raise money separately and make a toy shopping spree part of a brotherhood event. Others dress members up as Santa Claus and his elves and deliver the toys and gifts personally to local agency-sponsored children's parties. This worthwhile event has not only brightened the lives of countless families in need, it has also provided our brotherhood with an opportunity to show the communities in which we reside that Acacia's "Human Service" focus is more than just lip service. It is a passion that drives and motivates our brothers in every aspect of their lives.

Yet another national Acacia philanthropic effort, Seven Days of Service, originated in 1983. Chapters participating in this initiative undertake seven philanthropic projects during seven consecutive days. Blood drives have become one of the myriad events undertaken during Seven Days of Service. Acacia has long awarded the chapters that raise the most money and donate the most pints of blood.