Phi Delta Theta

A Letter From Clark Jackson

Clark asked that we share this letter again when he passed.  The original letter was created in September of 2010.
 

ClarkDear Brother,

Phi Delta Theta’s Iron Phi program was introduced in February of 2010. In a short period of time, the program has raised awareness among both alumni and actives for our philanthropy – The ALS Association. Both individuals and chapters will benefit by participating in the Iron Phi program, seeing a greater level of participation, higher chapter morale, and improved philanthropic efforts. If your chapter is in the planning stages for ALS fund raising events, consider the Iron Phi program and its ability to help you easily raise funds.

My name is Clark Jackson, Kansas Delta (Wichita State) bond number 346. I was an active in the seventies, a chapter adviser in the eighties, and in the nineties I chaired a committee of Kansas Delta alums that raised $1.6 million that built a new chapter house. Unfortunately my Fraternity participation now includes being an ALS patient. ALS has no known cause, no known treatment or no known cure. Typically in the U.S., 40,000 people suffer from this disease. Our ties to Lou Gehrig, New York Delta (Columbia), bring us to champion the defeat of this horrendously disabilitating disease. Hopefully I am the only person you know of or ever know of that will suffer with ALS.

But that is highly unlikely... as myself, I've known Keith Worthington (Kansas Alpha), Rich Vliet (Kansas Delta), "Mom" McKay (Former WSU Delta Gamma housemother), both Dennis and "Mom" Dullea (Former WSU Tri Delt housemother and husband), a recent Kansa Delta Chapter President's mother and several more. Each very active and each like me, surrounded by many that would like to help.

As a fund raiser for my chapters endeavor for a new chapter home, I learned this fund raising adage, "people give to people not to causes." A story of my trials will not raise the money that you will by asking for a donation. The act of you asking your chapter brothers to become Iron Phis will raise more money than I can on my own. You most likely will be asking for a donation from someone who supports you in your goals or who has been touched by ALS in some way. Together, we can help all ALS patients by funding research to find the cause, find treatments and hopefully find the cure to Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Before you put down this letter, think about the next person you are going to get involved. Maybe it's your vice-president or philanthropy chairman. In any case, think it-do it. Ask right now in an email, phone call or text message. Amaze yourself how YOU asking can assist in achieving your chapter’s highest level of fund raising ever. Do not expect the Iron Phi website to raise money just by signing on. Just as I'm asking you as a Brother in the Bond to assist me, I need your influence to make this work. Don't set this letter aside!

Yours in the Bond,

Clark Jackson

P.S. To pull on your heartstrings, I typed this with my thumbs, in bed while on my ventilator that allows me to breathe.  Please visit www.ironphi.org to learn how you and others can get involved.