Each semester, the gentlemen of the Epsilon Phi chapter of Delta Tau Delta are seen peddling a bike for hours on end in the student union.
They are not just demonstrating their finesse in athletics; they are raising money for charity.
The Delta Tau Delta’s host their Delts-Do-A-Thousand event each semester to raise money for people in need.
This semester they have chosen to donate their proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). This is the second time they have chosen this foundation.
Their goal is to raise as much money as possible by asking for donations while peddling a stationary bike nonstop, this event ends once this bike reaches 1,000 miles. This is about the distance between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Orleans, Louisiana.
This event used to be held 24/7, but due to issues with school officials, they are now restricted to school hours.
Each semester, the fraternity choses a cause close to home, as previous beneficiaries have included Tripp Roth, the son of two Southeastern Alumni, who suffered from a skin disorder, and the family of Jeremy Stoufflet whose father was in need of a new wheelchair and help with medical bills.
The fraternity’s choice of JDRF was particularly inspiring to Jorge Franco, a business management senior.
“I think it’s a great cause, because we went to an event, and a girl got up there and talked about her experiences with juvenile diabetes and it really hit home because I have a family member that has diabetes, so for me its great that my organization, my fraternity is out here doing this because we’re trying to help out a great cause and trying to make a difference,” said Franco, “Not a lot of organizations across the country are trying to do that.”
Donations to this event are rewarded with t-shirts, prizes, stickers, and paper shoes, on which the donator can display their altruism for all of campus to see.
Although this semester’s event has come to a close, the Delta Tau Delta’s plan to hold another Delts-Do-A-Thousand event next semester.