The Fort Worth Commission for Women honored Alpha Chi Omega last night with the Outstanding Young Women Who Volunteer Award.Alpha Chi was selected because they’re an example of outstanding young women who volunteer, said Dorothy Wing, city staff liaison to the Commission for Women.

“Alpha Chi made a commitment for not just a single occasion but an extended period of time,” Wing said.

This is the first time in the history of the award an organization has been selected; normally the committee honors individuals.

A planning committee reviewed applications Feb. 5, and made a recommendation to the Commission for Women on Feb. 12.

The Fort Worth Women’s Center nominated the Iota Lambda chapter of Alpha Chi with the award for service within its organization.

Alpha Chi partnered with the Women’s Center in 1999 and is represented in numerous facets of the center.

Paula Fultz, Iota Lambda chapter adviser, said members are on the Victory Over Violence committee for the annual walk/run, do a diaper drive and donate thousands of diapers, wrap gifts at Christmas and work the rape hotline. She also said all of the chapter’s 144 members volunteer at the Women’s Center and collectively accumulate more than 1,000 hours each year.

According to a February press release, Alpha Chi hosts a fashion show each year to raise money for the Women’s Center.

This year, the March 4 fashion show raised more than $40,000, of which more than $20,000 will be donated to the center, Fultz said.

The Alpha Chi Foundation for Educational Programs primarily focused on the prevention of domestic violence and the Alliance for Children will also receive donations of more than $3,000.

The Fort Worth Commission for Women was established by the City Council in 1983 to act as an adviser to the Council, and to study important women’s issues in the community.

Yesterday’s ceremony took place at the city council chambers, where a proclamation and the award were presented.