Live Like Lou – Our International Philanthropy
Phi Delta Theta is committed to supporting the fight against ALS in honor of Phi Delta Theta member and baseball great, Lou Gehrig, who passed away from ALS, now commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Each year, approximately $1 million is raised to fight ALS through the efforts of Phi Delta Theta members, both undergraduates and alumni. Along with raising funds, Phi Delts support ALS families in their communities through service.
In 2018, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the grassroots organization Live Like Lou, founded by Phi Delt Brother Neil Alexander, joined forces to launch The Live Like Lou Foundation, a stand-alone 501c3 not-for-profit entity with a national scope and a renewed purpose to raise awareness of ALS, raise funds to support ALS patients and their families, and raise funds for a treatment or a cure.
The Live Like Lou Foundation has an impact on many areas in the ALS community including: career development awards for emerging ALS researchers, college scholarships for students whose parents or grandparents have been affected by ALS, the funding of ALS research centers, educational conferences for ALS researchers, and supporting in-person and virtual camps for children who come from ALS families.
Iron Phi – The Brotherhood of Athletes
Iron Phi was developed to strengthen both Phi Delta Theta and its impact on the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease. Iron Phis raise $1,000 and achieve an athletic goal of choice.
From running and cycling to swimming and hiking, Iron Phi participants have one thing in common - they want to push themselves athletically and do some good in the process. The Iron Phi experience teaches the value of giving back to a cause while doing something great for yourself. The program has become a breeding ground for leaders within the organization.
Dollars raised through Iron Phis are split equally between two causes: Funding ALS initiatives through The Live Like Lou Foundation and funding leadership development opportunities for members of Phi Delta Theta.
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Local Philanthropic Efforts
As an Emerging Chapter, ND Beta hit the ground running to raise money for the LiveLikeLou Foundation. ND Beta holds the record for Phi Delta Theta as the first Emerging Chapter to raise money for philanthropy before induction in history. This was done via the Ice Bucket Challenge which led to ND Beta being featured on ND Today!