GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College’s Phi Theta Phi fraternity will kick off collections for its 57th annual Walk-a-thon for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh during Highmark Light Up Night on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The fraternity begins its fundraising in the same city members will return to in about two weeks, completing a 100-mile charitable walk that raises money for the hospital’s Free Care Fund.
Fraternity members, friends and alumni will collect donations throughout the week-long walk, which supports free treatment for families in need. After the initial Pittsburgh collections, local collections will begin Dec. 1 in Conneaut Lake, then continue in Sharon on Dec. 2, Mercer on Dec. 3 and Greenville on Dec. 4. On the morning of Dec. 5, participants will begin walking in Greenville, Pa. and continue to Freeport, Pa. The will finish the 100-mile walk at UPMC Children’s Hospital on Dec. 6.
The Walk-a-thon holds personal significance for many participants, including Phi Theta Phi member Emmett Gill ’27, whose younger brother received care at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
“The main reason I joined Phi—and why I enjoy the Walk-a-thon so much—is because it’s a great opportunity to pay it forward. So many people have helped my family and I get to where we are today, so it means the world to me to help other people get an opportunity to thrive. With the hospital in particular, their staff have been some of the kindest and most patient people to work with my brother when he was younger,” Gill said. “I have nothing but respect for everyone involved. One of my favorite Walk memories happened my freshman year. We did our final stretch through Lawrenceville up to the hospital, and seeing everyone donate to help the children was amazing. Getting to do everything with my brothers was a wonderful experience, and one I want my brothers to have once again as we give it our all for the children.”
Phi Theta Phi has raised more than $1.9 million for the Free Care Fund since launching the Walk-a-thon in 1968. The fraternity, founded at Thiel College in 1966, has built one of the region’s most recognized Greek philanthropy traditions. Over the years, Phi Theta Phi has been honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Pennsylvania House and Senate, and UPMC Children’s Hospital. In 2014, the fraternity was named one of the Fund’s Top 10 donors.
As part of the annual event, fraternity members appear on Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA to present the donation.
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