When Lisa Parnell put up a flier to help her neighbors, the Jacksons, find a home for their guinea pig, she never expected the response that she received.

Shelly Jackson was expecting quadruplets, and doctors advised the family to find another home for their pet. Parnell is an adjunct professor in the College of Social Service and interview coordinator for the Prenatal Mental Health Research project.

From the flier, Parnell found a home for the guinea pig, bags of baby clothes for the newborn Jackson quadruplets and a call from the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega.

Alpha Phi Omega saw the flier as a service opportunity. They created a family challenge within the fraternity to raise money for the Jackson quadruplets. Over a two- week period the fraternity raised $242. With the money they purchased three car seats and three headrests for the family.

“The donation reflected the dedication of the mission of Saint Louis University” to serve humanity, said Parnell.

Parents Scott and Shelly Jackson are awaiting the day that they can take their newborns home. “They are all in satisfactory condition and all gaining weight,” said Shelly Jackson. The quadruplets, Kyah Faith, Luke Conner, Blake Matthew and Brooke Riley, were born eight weeks prematurely at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur.

“Thank you for everything that you (APO) did, and God bless you (APO),” said Shelly Jackson.

Member Kathy Thomas, junior, helped deliver the car seats to the Jackson family. “It was really great that we could help this family in any way, shape or form. The family was really appreciative. It was nice to see the immediate impact,” said Thomas.

Alpha Phi Omega performed a record number of hours of service last semester. They will be one of the largest chapters in the nation after they initiate their pledges on Feb 9.

“For us it was just another thing that we do, and it meant so much to them,” said Maggie Steimle, junior and co-vice president of Service for Alpha Phi Omega.