Sunshine and sand will assist the Phi Delta Theta chapter at Mississippi State with a new way of raising money for an old friend.
The organization is hosting a charity volleyball tournament today and tomorrow to raise money for its national philanthropy, the ALS Association.
“In the past we’ve taken part in raising money and mailing smaller checks to Memphis,” Phi Delt president Dan Whatley said. “This year we wanted to put together a big fundraiser to go along with the smaller checks. So far we have raised $7,000.”
The money raised goes towards research funding. While the cause and cure for ALS remain unknown, donations help provide care for patients with ALS and the discovery of a cure.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes a progressive degeneration in motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The damage to the neurons hinders patient’s abilities to walk, talk, breathe and swallow.
Junior Brett Aldridge and sophomore Stephen Moake said that the fraternity decided that a volleyball tournament would be a good, new way to raise money.
“We have eight men’s teams and five women’s teams,” Aldridge said. “The winners from each bracket will get $150 for their philanthropies.”
The organization sends tapes to its donors to show how the money helps.
“It is a touching tape. We see it and realize how fortunate we are,” Whatley said. “Knowing that we are making a difference is very rewarding.”
The fraternity members said that they have had significant help in raising the money.
“We’d like to thank Subway, Coca-Cola and St. Dominic’s for their help in raising money for ALS research,” Aldridge said.