The Longwood University chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a coed service fraternity, is raising money for the Louisa County schools, which suffered extensive damage in the Aug. 23 earthquake.

The fraternity will hold a fundraiser this Saturday, Nov. 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at Farmville Miniature Golf, across from the Food Lion near the corner of South Main Street and Milnwood Road. APO members will sell food (hot dogs, chips and soft drinks) and raffle off various items, from which 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Louisa County schools, in a field beside the miniature golf course. Also, the owner of Farmville Miniature Golf, Bob Card, has agreed to donate 50 percent of that day's proceeds from his business, which includes not only the putt-putt golf but also arcade games and batting cages. The day's activities also will include games and face-painting by APO members.

In addition, APO during the week of Oct. 24-28 raised more than $400 for the Louisa County schools by holding a bake sale and by a table that was set up in front of the Farmville Kroger's store.

“We vote on a philanthropy project once a semester,” said Kara Polignone, chair of APO's service committee. “We chose to do this fundraiser because the Louisa County schools really need the money. We contacted Farmville Miniature Golf because we had heard that this business has done some fundraisers in the past. They were kind enough to agree to open for that day; they had closed for the season. Local businesses have donated items that we're raffling off. Among the businesses that have donated items are Red Front (Furniture), Sleeping Bee, and the salon All About You, which is raffling off a complete makeover, as well as other businesses.”

For more information on the fundraiser Nov. 19, contact Polignone by phone (804-248-2717) or email (kara.polignone@live.longwood.edu).

Louisa County High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in that county are closed indefinitely due to damage from the earthquake, which registered 5.8 on the Richter scale and whose epicenter was in Louisa County near Mineral. Classes for the high school are being held next door at the middle school, which also suffered damage – middle and high school students alternate days – and classes for Thomas Jefferson Elementary are being held 20 minutes away at Trevilians Elementary. The earthquake caused an estimated $57.5 million damage to the Louisa County schools.