Thiel College fraternity surpasses $2 million fundraising milestone for Pittsburgh hospital

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College’s Phi Theta Phi fraternity has raised $20,002.10 to date for the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Free Care Fund through its 57th annual Walk-a-thon, pushing the organization past the $2 million mark in total funds raised since launching the event in 1968.

As part of the annual event, fraternity members will appear on Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA on Thursday, Dec. 18, with the Walk-a-thon donation scheduled to be presented during the telethon at approximately 7 p.m. The appearance caps a two-week fundraising effort that includes a 100-mile charitable walk to the hospital.

The fraternity launched this year’s fundraising during Highmark Light Up Night in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov. 22, beginning collections in the same city where members would return roughly two weeks later to complete the walk.

After the initial Pittsburgh collections, walkers continued local fundraising on Dec. 1 in Conneaut Lake, followed by stops in Sharon on Dec. 2, Mercer on Dec. 3, and Greenville on Dec. 4. Participants departed Greenville on the morning of Dec. 5 and are traveling on foot to Freeport, Pa., before completing the final stretch to 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,” Gill said. “So many people have helped my family and me 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.”

Founded at Thiel College in 1966, the fraternity has built one of western Pennsylvania’s most recognized collegiate philanthropy traditions and 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 Free Care Fund’s Top 10 donors.

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