It’s that time of the year again. Next week the brothers of the college-recognized Pi Kappa Phi fraternity will be hauling out their couches, extension cords and tents for their annual Sit-A-Thon charity fundraiser.
The bi-annual fundraiser will be held in the campus mall. Thursday, April 19 to Saturday, April 21. The event was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed.
The brothers will occupy the mall — day and night — for 72 hours straight.
“Students can show their support by coming out and donating or just coming out and hanging out with us,” Pi Kappa Phi brother Kyle Rutledge said. “We are there 24 hours a day no matter what the weather is like, just to show our dedication.”
The donations are given to PUSH America, the national philanthropy organization of Pi Kappa Phi. Each year Pi Kappa Phi brothers across the country raise more than $1 million for PUSH America through fundraisers, such as Brockport’s Sit-A-Thon.
The fraternity owns and operates PUSH. It is the only fraternity in the U.S. that has complete ownership over its own philanthropy.
The organization is dedicated to aiding those who are disabled through grants and also funds renovations for buildings and summer camps to make them more wheelchair accessible.
Rutledge said he recently landed a position within the philanthropic organization and will continue his work with PUSH America after he graduates from Brockport. “In June, I move to Charlotte, N.C. to begin bettering the lives of people with disabilities,” Rutledge said. “I will be doing a lot of traveling visiting colleges and teaching people about PUSH America. I’m very excited about this position. This is something I have been very passionate about, and it will be a fantastic job right out of college.”
The brothers are asking all Brockport students, staff and faculty to stop by, say “hello”and donate their change to the cause.
-originally published in "The Stylus" April 3rd 2012