Newsroom

Thiel College fraternity’s fundraising walk to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh begins Friday

Posted December 02, 2019   Print
Phi Theta Phi walk story

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Following the record-setting walk of this past year, Thiel College’s chapter of Phi Theta Phi leaves Friday for its 51st annual 100-mile fundraising walk for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“Year after year, our friends from Phi Theta Phi at Thiel College coordinate a fundraiser that spans months and miles, culminating in a 100-mile walk from the College to the hospital.  Supporting the Free Care Fund with each step they take and each dollar they raise, the brothers help keep a promise that was made nearly 130 years ago—that Children’s Hospital would treat all children, regardless of their ability to pay,” Associate Director, Corporate and Community Giving Amy Rayman said. “We are tremendously grateful for the commitment these gentlemen have demonstrated over the years.”

  • Donations (with checks made payable to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation) can be mailed to Phi Theta Phi Alumni Association, PO Box 365, Greenville, PA 16125.
  • Donations can be made online.

The fraternity was recognized with the “Leaps and Bounds” Award at the annual Corporate and Community Dinner of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation in May 2019. The Walk-a-thon raised $55,884.72 during its December 2018 walk. The total was the most a single walk raised in the event’s 50-year history. The first Walk-a-Thon was held in February 1968 and raised $1,100.  Since that time, the fraternity has raised more than $1.6 million for the Free Care Fund at the hospital, which provides financial assistance for families regardless of their ability to pay for their children’s medical costs.

The fraternity brothers have been collecting money with various fundraisers throughout the fall, including attending Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night on Nov. 22, where they raised more than $1,500.

Pre-walk collections begin Tuesday in Sharon and continue with collections Wednesday in Mercer and Thursday in front of the College at the intersection of routes 18 and 58. The fraternity will leave Greenville Dec. 6, walk through Mercer, Grove City, Slippery Rock and Butler, then end the day in Freeport. On Saturday, Dec. 7, they will walk through Natrona Heights, Breckenridge, New Kensington, Arnold, Springdale, Cheswick, Harmar Township, Oakmont, Lawrenceville and finally arriving at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

About the Phi Theta Phi Walk-a-thon

Phi Theta Phi began at Thiel College as a local fraternity in 1966. Two years later, the fraternity started a tradition that has become one of the most successful Greek philanthropy efforts in the College’s history. The first Walk-a-thon was in 1968 and raised $1,100. In 2014, Phi Theta Phi was recognized as one of the Top 10 donors to the Fund. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate have cited the chapter for its service, and in 2002, the Association of Fundraising Professionals acknowledged them as an outstanding philanthropic organization. In 2015, the College recognized the fraternity with a Service to Thiel Award.

Related Links

Related Stories

Office of Admission

Media Contact

Dominick DiRienzo
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

 ddirienzo@thiel.edu
 724-589-2188

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Academics ( 761 )
Admission ( 229 )
Alumni ( 317 )
Athletics ( 160 )
College Advancement ( 261 )
Community ( 436 )
Events ( 347 )
Faculty & Staff ( 609 )
In The News ( 38 )
Performing Arts ( 132 )
Students ( 801 )

BROWSE BY YEAR

2024 (42)
2023 (152)
2022 (150)
2021 (141)
2020 (146)
2019 (123)
2018 (157)
2017 (129)
2016 (119)
2015 (110)
2014 (52)
2013 (33)
2012 (41)

Thiel College Shield

Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435