The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – There's nothing unusual about Waitsburg parent and bus driver Pam Alexenko spoiling and supporting local kids. It's just part of who she is and something she's done for years.

But her son Luke's fraternity brothers at Beta Theta Pi at Eastern Washington University, who are now on the receiving end of her generosity, found her treats and encouragement so impressive that they reinstated the Beta Theta Pi "Mom of the Year" award and presented Pam with it during last month's Mom's Weekend.

And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Luke Alexenko has followed in his mom's footsteps, making a point to lend a hand wherever he can. In his first year at college, Luke was elected the Beta Theta Pi Philanthropy Chair and spends many hours organizing and helping with community service projects.

Pam started driving school bus shortly after moving here 22 years ago and quickly instituted a "Friday treat day" for her riders. Over time that evolved to making treats, snacks, lunches, and sometimes even full meals for the sports teams. If a student ever forgot to bring a meal or a snack, they could be pretty sure Pam would have something on hand for them.

Once her own kids were in high school, Pam became aware of fundraising needs and took responsibility for organizing the fundraising meals for National Honor Society, FFA, and the basketball and football teams.

Last year Pam began making popular flavored candies which she sells at school events. She has donated hundreds of dollars of proceeds to the National Honor Society, which passes them on to Black Dog Rescue or the Waitsburg Resource Center, the FFA trap team to help with travel expenses associated with attending state meets, and has added her earnings to funds raised for former WHS student Cody Washburn, who is battling cancer.

"I know it goes for a good thing, and that's what makes me happy," Pam said.

Something Pam has done for years that makes many students and parents happy, is taking photos. At nearly every event, from sports, to homecoming, to prom, Pam is on hand, snapping photos and posting them online. She's also taken many senior portraits for students who can't afford professional photos.

"I can't imagine how many hours I've spent editing, uploading, and tagging photos. But it makes the kids and parents happy and I love doing it for them," she said.

Pam has also been a strong presence at the FFA pig barns, always ready to offer a helping hand. "With my boys graduated, I think I will miss my involvement with FFA the most. It'll be weird not having pigs at the barn. But I still have a couple of young boys that I've offered to help," she said.

Pam said she was surprised to learn that she had won Beta Theta Pi's "Mom of the Year." She said her deliveries of massive batches of chocolate chip brownies, monster cookie bars, and chocolate covered caramel, as well as the items she and husband Larry donated to help support the fraternities' outreach efforts earned her the title.

But she says an even bigger reward has been seeing the direction Luke has taken his first year at college. Pam said she wasn't thrilled when Luke first mentioned joining a fraternity and stereotypical visions of frat house parties immediately came to mind.

Instead, Luke was elected Philanthropy Chair at Beta Theta Pi and is responsible for organizing and setting up all the community service projects for the chapter. Luke said his chapter served nearly 450 community service hours last quarter – the highest number on campus.

Luke said the chapter recently spent a day sorting 20,000 pounds of potatoes, donated by farmers to feed 16,000 people, for Second Harvest Food Bank. Thirty to forty boys spent a Sunday in April cleaning a facility for families affected by homelessness and domestic violence. Last weekend, ten frat brothers spent the day handing out water at the annual Bloomsdsay run in Spokane

Luke said one of the chapter's ongoing projects is supporting the Orange Heart Fund which was founded by University of Washington Beta alumni Richard Phenneger. The nonprofit collects scrap metal to fund independent research and care for vets and their families who have been affected by Agent Orange. Luke said two to five frat members make a trip to Post Falls most weekends where they pick up collision scrap, brake drums, etc. and deliver it to Orange Heart Fund drop bins.

Luke said he thinks growing up in a small town, as well as his involvement in NHS, played a big role in his desire to affect his community.

"Coming from such a small community and being involved in NHS and other groups in high school, I enjoy volunteering. Being given the opportunity to be the philanthropy chair has been really enjoyable and is a good learning process," he said.

Luke is also quick to encourage Waitsburg students to follow his example. In a recent letter to incoming Waitsburg NHS members, the former NHS president wrote:

Members of Luke Alexenko's fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, take a break to pose for a photo after spending the day cleaning a transitional housing facility.

During my time in NHS, being able to help others and seeing how grateful people were was truly touching and life changing. There is nothing like making a 95-year-old lady at a retirement home start to tear up because you and your friends came to sing Christmas carols to the residents. Or raising over $500 for the local dog shelter and food bank and seeing those who run these organizations just glow with joy because they know how much these donations help. You are at the forefront of how many will perceive the students of this school, leave a good impression.

One thing is for certain; the Alexenkos will continue lending a hand, spreading cheer, and setting an example in whatever communities they are part of.