Philanthropy

Route Map for the Ride Across the Purple Valley

Service is one of the basic values held by all FIJIs. It is necessary for building teamwork, leadership, and giving back to the community. The Zeta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta focuses multiple projects around service and philanthropy.  Since 2004, we have worked with The Red Cross as part of our international philanthropy.  Our chapter has demonstrated support of this philanthropy through two major events Field of Dreams and Ride Across the Purple Valley.

Field of Dreams is a co-ed softball tournament and is co-sponsored with Delta Delta Delta Sorority. This year, we had 10 teams and raised $1500 for The Red Cross.  It was an entertaining and successful event as members of all skill levels from the Greek community came together to raise money for a great cause.

The Ride Across the Purple Valley philanthropy event is unique to the state of Indiana.  All eight Phi Gamma Delta Chapters in the state combine their time and energy ride approximately 575 miles over four days. Each chapter makes a team of multiple riders and as riders from one team arrive at the next chapter, they join the existing team to ride onto the next university.  The Ride starts with Ball State's chapter and continues to Purdue, Wabash College, DePauw University to Rose Hullman to Evansville, to Hanover, to IU.  On the final day of the trip and with all riders from each chapter, we go from IU to Indianapolis to deliver our check to the Red Cross. 

Our chapter is also involved in another philanthropy event, the Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM).  This event raises money benefiting the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital for Children.  Approximately 75 brothers from our Fraternity chapter are involved with this event. Having roles from the executive committee to fundraisers, this is an event that our brothers truly enjoy.  This event is 36 hours long and encourages people to stay dancing or on their feet the entire time.  Local bands and restaurants volunteer their services.  This year the event raised $1,376,550.23 for the hospital, with our chapter raising over $65,000 for the cause.
We at the Zeta chapter are passionately involved with national causes on a local level.  At our chapter, we do more than talk about service we demonstrate it through our actions.