HAPA

Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Association

HAPF President
2017-2018

 

 


Joni Landon, Alpha Chi Omega

  

 

joni  

I really began my volunteer “career” as a Girl Scout, when I became a “candy striper” at St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Youngstown, Ohio at 15.    I was responsible for delivering flowers, to patients throughout the hospital, which local florists delivered to a basement entrance.

In 1958, I pledged Alpha Chi Omega at Mount Union College (University of Mount Union).  Twenty-one pledges met weekly for a semester to learn about AXO and to form strong, life-long friendships.  The pledge class “adopted” a project:  becoming Big Sisters to children in a near-by Children’s Home in Alliance, Ohio.  I hope my little boy “Billy” grew up to be a strong, stable, young man.

After college, I moved with one of my pledge sisters and three women from Dennison University to Chicago, where I met my husband.  We married in 1963, and lived two years in Chicago before moving to the New York City area, where we lived in Westchester County.  I volunteered at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, which was a very small hospital for children with disabilities at that time.  I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year in 1966.

 

Joni Landon, President - Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Foundation

 

joni
HAPF Wine Tasting - Alpha Chi Omega
 St. Cecilia's Community Center
(Standing) Catherine Robinson, Rhonda Warren, Mystic Martin, Joni Landon,
Tina McCarthy, Amanda Gajdosik, Stephanie Miller
(Sitting) Julie Sykes, Linda Martin, Deanna Murphy
10/24/14

 

 

In 1967, we were transferred to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  During our two years in Sao Paulo, I was active on the board of the New Neighbors Club.

I recall one evening talking with a mix of Brazilian and American women when one of the Brazilian’s talked about her volunteer activities with young women who were pregnant.  She had queried one of the young women about her multiple children suggesting that they didn’t have the funds to support so many.  “You have money to go to movies, out to dinner, and do other things, while we are at home with no money to go, to do things” was the response.  It stuck with me….if you cannot afford entertainment... 

No wonder poverty becomes a perpetual problem, and sealed my wish to help.

  

Our return stateside, took us to Bronxville, NY where our twin girls were born, I joined the Junior League, and volunteered my limited extra time in the League thrift shop.  It was a good break from the babies that consumed most days! 

Six years later, we moved to Westport, CT and I joined the PTA of the elementary school the girls attended.  The following year the school board began to close schools and I was the unsuspecting President of the PTA.  Our school was the newest, with no board representation and was targeted for closure.

  
         
         
  HAPF Wine Tasting - Committee
(Back) Melanie Frank, Sigma Kappa; Sue Brennig, Kappa Kappa Gamma; Joni Landon, Alpha Chi Omega (Event Chairman); Mystic Martin, Alpha Chi Omega; Grace Anne Baker, Delta Gamma; Susan Banks, Gamma Phi Beta; Sandy Lewis, Zeta Tau Alpha (HAPF President; Sharon Shelton-Pease, Delta Zeta; Candace Turner, Phi Mu (Front) Toni Post, Delta Zeta; Judy Harwell, Delta Zeta
10/24/14		   HAPF Wine Tasting
Deb Elm, Gamma Phi Beta (Event Co-Chair); Tina Melo, Kappa Delta (Guest of Honor); Joni Landon, Alpha Chi Omega (HAPF President); Kristy Nagel, Delta Zeta (Event Co-Chair)
10/20/17		  
         
  joni   joni  
  HAPF Wine Tasting
St. Cecilia's Community Center
Jerry and Joni Landon, Alpha Chi Omega
10/22/10		   NPC Discussion for Houston-area Alumnae Panhellenics
Hosted by HAPA Research & Education Committee
Home of Pam Jarrett, Alpha Epsilon Phi
(Back) Andrea Jaycox, Alpha Phi, Katy; Kelli Gustafson, Theta, Katy; Stephanie Ceritelli, ADPi, Kingwood; Heidi Oates, KKG, Fort Bend; Kathy Keene, Phi Mu, Fort Bend; Carol Durkee, Phi Mu, Mont. County;
Mary Payne, DG, Clear Lake; Connie Zieba, AGD, HAPA (Front) Pam Jarrett, AEPhi, HAPA;
Rie Hoehner, AGD, NPC; Joni Landon, AXO, HAPA
10/25/16		  
         

 

After moving to Houston, I became active in Beta Zeta Beta of Alpha Chi Omega and was asked to be Alumnae President for the year 1993 - 4.   There was a strong University of Texas group that welcomed me as a newcomer to the area.  I became Beta Zeta Beta President in 1991 and in 1997, I was a nominee for Sorority Alumna of the year.

I joined HAPA as Alternate Delegate for Alpha Chi Omega in 2006 and have served on the board as secretary, twice, and as chair of Community Service, Membership Chair, Recruitment Information, Publicity Chair, Research & Education Chair, Wine Tasting Chair and twice as Yearbook chair.  On the Foundation board, I have served as Secretary, and as Vice President for two years.

I have also been active in the Women of Rotary Club of Houston since 1985.  I have served many positions on the board of the WOR, including President, Vice President in charge of Fundraising (3 times), Holiday Bazaar Chair, Secretary, Membership Chair and Parliamentarian.  Our funds support Children’s Health concerns in Houston where we provided a permanent fund for scholarships for U.T. Dental students, provide funds for Project Saving Smiles (a City of Houston dental program for second graders), and many other projects.
 
   
HAPF  30 Year Anniversary Celebration
(Back) Cathy Coers Frank, Melanie Frank, Erin Hasbrouck, Merry Adamcik, Joni Fichter, Dianne Hammelman,
Phyllis Prange, Sue Brennig, Sharon Shelton-Pease, Sherry St. Aubin, Mimi Hagedorn, Kay Newman,
Grace Anne Baker, Candace Turner, Martha Hunt, Ginger Nieman, Sandy Lewis, Deborah Etheridge, Jean Calloway
(Front) Lorie Coffelt, Connie Zieba (HAPF President), Tina Melo, Susan Banks, Toni Post, Barbara Upchurch,
Pam Staples, Kay Weed, Joni Landon (Incoming HAPF President), Cooky Mays, Judy Schudy, Deb Elm
05/17/17
 

 


HOUSTON ALUMNAE PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION (HAPA)


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