Written by: Eva Patt, Malie Dell’Orco & Emma Hambrecht
Many organizations have their fair share of fundraisers and efforts that they take part in during the year to raise money for THON™. Recently, we’ve had the chance to speak to some members of Phi Chi Theta (PCT), a professional business fraternity who is taking on the Half & Full Philadelphia Marathon in support of raising money for the Four Diamonds Families. The members of PCT who are running push their fundraising efforts for THON as they work hard to cross the finish line, posting on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to incentivize their followers.
We talked to Kevin Shuyler, a senior in PCT, who is running the Half Marathon in Philadelphia. His biggest motivation is the energy and dedication of his PCT brothers and the alumni. He explains that the support from each other through training, especially from past runners, allows everyone to fully give 100%, For The Kids®!
“I’m excited to spend a weekend in Philly with my brothers after crossing the finish line Saturday afternoon,” Kevin shares. His training style has consisted of running through State College or at the Penn State Intramural Building. Kevin explains that the half marathon is important to him because it unites so many members of PCT in their THON efforts outside of all the usual fundraisers that PCT takes part in.
Maura Dougherty, also a senior in PCT running the Half Marathon, explains that she has two big motivations when it comes to the Philly Half. The first motivation is PCT’s amazing THON families, the Smiths, Atterberry’s, and the Mazur’s. “[They are] such incredible families to be paired with,” she excitedly explained. Maura’s second motivation is all of the other brothers in PCT who are running in Philly in a few weeks! She explains that everyone has been constantly pushing themselves for months to perform to the best of their abilities and raise as much money as possible, For The Kids®!
“PCT has supported one another this whole journey and it’s been so amazing,” Dougherty said. The Half Marathon is important to Maura because of her love and importance for staying active and the huge impact that THON has had in her life. She explains, “A half marathon is just one step for me to push myself to raise money for a cause that I am so incredibly passionate about.”
It is evident after talking to these members their passion and love that they have for THON and sharing its mission. We can’t wait to see all that they are going to do in the next weeks leading up to the Philadelphia races and the weekend of! THON’s mission is spread in so many unique ways and it’s amazing to watch Penn State students take part in raising money, For The Kids®!
Photos courtesy of: Eva Patt