We Do It For Lou

Another Great Program!
Over the 2020 pandemic, Iron Phi did a virtual cross-country marathon. I participated in five 4-mile legs of this marathon and did virtual fundraising on Instagram and Facebook. Through the generosity of everyone, I was able to raise over $500 in the month of June to kick off this event. I'm extremely excited about this effort! I've completed each of my 4-mile legs on the Knoxville green-way system between June and July.
I've completed another mile-stone in my Iron Phi journey, and I am pumped that I was able to do it as a part of something so much larger than my single efforts.
More information to come about my next goal, and how I'm planning on achieving it!
Over and out,
Hunter

by Hunter Carlheim on Sat, Sep 19, 2020 @ 3:44 PM

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Instagram Campaigns!
It's May 2020, and I'm closing in on $2,000 raised for the Iron Phi journey I started in 2016! I raised close to $300 on an Instagram campaign that lasted a total of 5 hours and was initially for $81. That's awesome! I'm planning some new goals and athletic events that go along with my next Iron Phi journey. More information to come, but I'm pumped to set a new goal for myself since I'm starting a new life adventure in Tennessee.
Peace, Love, and Quarantine -
Hunter

by Hunter Carlheim on Sun, May 03, 2020 @ 2:33 AM

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Social Media
After completing my initial goal of raising $1,000 and completing my Iron Phi athletic journey, I spent a lot of time helping others complete their missions. I love seeing what other Phis and those impacted by ALS can accomplish through their journeys. I wanted to jump back into fundraising and spreading awareness of ALS through advocacy for Iron Phi and Live Like Lou. Through some social media fundraising on Instagram (@hcarlheim), I raised $114 dollars and reached out to 280 people! I'm still figuring out what I want my next step to be, but I'm excited to start sharing my experiences again.
Keep keeping on!
Hunter

by Hunter Carlheim on Fri, Nov 01, 2019 @ 3:42 PM

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Continuing my Journey
In April, 2018, I am working with three chapters in my region to raise money and awareness in a month-long competition. The brothers of the California Chi, University of San Francisco, Washington Delta, University of Puget Sound, and Washington Epsilon, Eastern Washington University, will be competing against 17 other Phi Delta Theta Chapters across North America.
I am extremely excited to work with these three chapters as they have all proven themselves to take the cause and truly dedicate themselves to leaving ALS better than when we found it. The brothers of WA Delta and Epsilon will be challenging themselves in a physical event at the end of the month to run/bike across the state of Washington to the Iron Horse Monument in Central Washington.
I have set a personal goal of not only reaching my $1,848 original goal but also breaking $2,000 raised for Iron Phi. Once I reach my $2,000 I will be announcing my next athletic event that I will be preparing for in the Summer of 2018!
--Stay tuned--

by Hunter Carlheim on Fri, Apr 06, 2018 @ 5:05 PM

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Live Like Lou
November 2017 marked a new partnership with Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity. Together we are thrilled to launch "The LiveLikeLou Foundation", a stand-alone 501c3 not-for-profit entity with a national scope. Lou Gehrig himself was a brother of Phi Delta Theta when he attended Columbia University until 1923. The Fraternity, established in 1848 in Oxford, Ohio, has claimed ALS as its primary philanthropic cause for decades... recently raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support ALS research and patients across the country. Neil was very proud to be initiated as a Phi Delta Theta Brother in 2012!
The LiveLikeLou Foundation will build upon the LiveLikeLou brand and grassroots effort we started in 2011, and expand it through the Phi Delta Theta network of nearly 165,000 living members and 190 chapters on college campuses across the country. This means new fundraising mechanisms, new outreach to broader communities and a more meaningful impact on the disease for years to come. It also means that an entirely new, nationwide population of young men, along with their families, friends and communities will grow to know our story and become engaged in the cause of ALS. And while our research center at The University of Pittsburgh and our fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation will always support ALS here in the Pittsburgh Region, the new Foundation will identify and choose new initiatives for directing the funds raised... long into the future!
As Neil's wife and the connection to LiveLikeLou's history, Suzanne will have a seat on the board of the new Foundation, to be passed to Neil's sister Shawn or Abby or Patrick one day. And Suzanne will begin working for the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity to help launch this new organization with the goodwill, determination and might of the Phi Delts leading the national charge.
It's actually unbelievably perfect that LiveLikeLou was started by a Phi Delta Theta brother (Neil), in honor of a Phi Delta Theta brother (Lou), and will be carried onward by all the Phi Delta Theta brothers.
This change will safeguard the heart and hard work our generous supporters have brought to LiveLikeLou since 2012. It will expand our network of supporters beyond what any of us imagined. It will ensure that our inspiration to live like Lou Gehrig and Neil, with determination and gratitude, is remembered. And it will keep ALS patients and research to find a therapy or a cure for this disease always in our sights.
Here's the Phi Delta Theta press release on this news sent out November 6, 2017. Please watch LiveLikeLou posts on Facebook for more updates on these changes. Our website will change over the next few months. Phi Delta Theta's website will change too. New faces and voices will emerge. But our purpose To Leave ALS Better Than We Found It will never change.
LiveLikeLou . org

by Hunter Carlheim on Wed, Feb 07, 2018 @ 11:34 PM

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The Aftermath
I forgot to complete my post for days 2 and 3, but let me confirm that I have not been hiking or kayaking since then. The days were long, and I was exhausted, and very badly sun burnt, after the weekend. That being said, I loved every second of it. I was able to see how far I could push myself mentally and physically. I kept telling myself that I could do "one more mile" a few times to really set a good pace for the day. Overall, I finished the 100 miles in 2 and a half days. I posted pictures and mile tracking screen shots on my Facebook!

by Hunter Carlheim on Thu, Oct 05, 2017 @ 12:28 PM

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Day 1
Today was the first of the three day adventure to complete 100 miles. I am so thankful that I am finally able to complete this challenge. Today taught me a lot about preparation: what I need to bring tomorrow and what I need to do to prepare for tomorrow. I was able to complete 18 miles in 4 hours. I am a bit tired, but I am excited to get started on tomorrow's double feature of kayaking and hiking!

by Hunter Carlheim on Fri, Jun 16, 2017 @ 8:37 PM

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April Challenge
I'm so pumped to be partnered with the men of CA Chi at the University of San Francisco for Phi Delta Theta's April Iron Phi Challenge! Just as we did in October when I was partnered with the Phikeia class of Arizona Gamma, we will be fundraising through Iron Phi to raise the most money for the cause while competing against 14 other chapters. These guys are last year's champions for this challenge, and are starting off strong. I was able to help them shape some of their activities for March, but I can't wait to see what they come up with.
Definitely more to come! Over and out, for now.

by Hunter Carlheim on Wed, Mar 29, 2017 @ 6:56 PM

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California Sigma
Yet another amazing opportunity to see how undergraduates are really taking giving back to a whole new level. When I get asked, "how do we make our philanthropy better?" I always come back with, "Are you passionate and educated on the topic?" This usually stumps a lot of undergraduates, because they think they are mandated to stick with one cause. NO! The perfect example are the guys at Sonoma State University, CA Sigma. These men were devastated by a loss of one of their founding members by Cystic Fibrosis, CF. These men raise so much money and awareness to this disease because they are personally touched by it, it really does make a difference! A teeter-totter event on campus for a whole week brought in almost $22,000 last year, and they were able to donate that money to the CF Foundation. Truly amazing what a group of young men are able to do with a little passion, planning, and persistence.
More to come: over and out.

by Hunter Carlheim on Tue, Mar 07, 2017 @ 5:44 PM

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Washington Epsilon
Talk about a great group of guys! Check them out on Facebook: PDTWashingtonEpsilon
The west coast is consistently dominated by the men of Washington Epsilon at Eastern Washington University. Through their efforts in the Iron Phi Program they have been consistent in being in the top five chapter in the past three years for money raised in the Iron Phi Program! The amount of passion and energy they have is inspiring, and it was passed onto their Phikeia! During the Phikeia Iron Phi Challenge in October, the WA Epsilon new members were able to raise almost $6,000 in two weeks! They were also in the top four by the very end of the month.
As I am ending my first trip through all of my chapters as a consultant (1 down, 3 to go!) I realize that the chapters that are succeeding in their efforts to raise money and awareness for the Iron Phi Program really have a passion for it. This passion has been passed down from group to group and has become stronger. These men just do it, and they don't have to think about it twice because everyone is on the same page. They don't do it for the recognition, they do it because they genuinely understand that there needs to be a cure for ALS, and the money they raise will help them get there.
Two chapters and two states to go! 24 hour drive back to Oxford, OH, and then I get to start all over in the Spring. More to come: Over & Out!

by Hunter Carlheim on Sat, Dec 03, 2016 @ 2:12 PM

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Arizona Gamma
I was able to work with the men of Northern Arizona University (Arizona Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta), and they were by far one of the most enthusiastic groups of men that I have seen. During the month of October, Phi Delta Theta selected groups of new members to compete against each other to see which new member class could raise the most money for Iron Phi. Over the course of the month, AZ Gamma's new member class were able to raise a little over $6,000 which put them in third place, behind Eastern Washington University and the University of Georgia. Seeing how close they were to winning and being motivated by the chapter, the new members of AZ Gamma raised almost $8,000 in two days. I'll repeat that for you: EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS. It is honestly so amazing to see how dedicated and passionate a group of men can be. What they can achieve when they work together for a common good really inspires me and makes me thankful that I was able to see them achieve greatness. This is the best example of the quote by Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Because of these guys raising this large amount of money, I was able to get a $250 donation to my Iron Phi journey, so I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to the men of AZ Gamma! More to come: over and out.

by Hunter Carlheim on Tue, Nov 08, 2016 @ 4:16 PM

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San Francisco
Preparing for the 100 miles of kayaking and hiking on the road is probably the most fun that I could have. As I made it to San Francisco, I realized that it is really the perfect city to go walking in. I was able to hike up the Twin Peaks, Land's End, and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Along with my preparation for the weekend milage in June, I am also visiting the men of California Chi at the University of San Francisco. These men were able to raise $10,000 last year to become and Iron Phi Chapter with their athletic event being a 5k across the Golden Gate Bridge... in the rain... in 55 degree whether. Listening to hear their ambitions to raise over $25,000 for the ALS Association in the next few years was inspiring as well. For those of you that have not had the opportunity to meet someone living with ALS or know why doing an athletic event is representative of this disease, I encourage you to do some research on the topic. The daily activities many of us take for granted, like exploring a new city, becomes 10,000 times more difficult with ALS. Having been introduced to a number of families living with a loved one diagnosed with ALS, I really am passionate about never taking the things I can do for granted, and I thank God for the opportunities that have been afforded to me.
More to Come. Over and out. 10/25/16 3:00 PM

by Hunter Carlheim on Tue, Oct 25, 2016 @ 4:36 PM

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Preparing for the Event
While I was preparing to be a traveling Leadership Consultant for Phi Delt, the biggest word of advice that was repeated by a lot of people was to take full advantage of my travels. I know that I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to travel the country for my job, and I have been meeting amazing people and doing some amazing things along the way. When I decided to take on the challenge of participating the Iron Phi program, I decided that I should get creative about how I would prepare for my event of kayaking and hiking for 100 miles in a weekend. For that reason, I decided that I wanted to go hiking and kayaking as much as I could while I was on the west coast. Getting to kayak in the Grand Canyon, hike along the red stones in Utah, explore underground canyons in Arizona, and climb some cliffs in La Jolla, California, would not have been possible if it weren't for this job and this personal challenge. MUCH more to come in the future. Over and out: 9/30/16

by Hunter Carlheim on Sat, Oct 01, 2016 @ 1:45 AM

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Working with Chapters
As I travel through the West Coast, I have seen many chapters REALLY interested in the Iron Phi program. The University of Utah has claimed 2 Iron Phi Chapter statuses (raising $10,000 in a given year as a chapter). This feat is truly amazing. The brothers of Northern Arizona University are going to be working with me to raise the most money from their new member class, Phikeia, in the month of October. The brothers of UCLA are training and preparing to become an Iron Phi Chapter THIS year, and I'm pumped to get to see how they do it/help them along the way. Finally, I've heard amazing things about the brothers from Eastern Washington University and I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves next.
More to come. Over and Out. 9/22/2016

by Hunter Carlheim on Fri, Sep 23, 2016 @ 12:00 AM

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