We Do It For Lou

This year, I'll be attempting to become an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the impact it has on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through the fundraising and athletic efforts of its members. Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and our organization has taken an active role in finding a cure.

The net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening, and treatment. It will also help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life. At Widener, Phi Delta Theta was one of the first organizations I involved myself with during my freshman year, and it provided me with the resources and support needed for me to succeed during the rest of my time at Widener. Phi Delta Theta was able to provide opportunities to me as well as push me to always be the best version of myself that I could be, which led me to become very active and involved on Widener's campus. Over my time at Widener, I was able to hold various positions including President on the Pride Activities Council Executive Board, which plans and oversees a large majority of the events that happen on campus. Additionally, they pushed me to serve as a Site Leader for the Alternative Spring Break program, where we traveled across the country working Habitat for Humanity to build houses for the less fortunate, as well as a C.R.E.W. leader (orientation leader), Mentor for the Honors Program, and still currently push me to strive to be my best as the Vice President and Captain of the Men's Club Soccer Team and the Clinic Coordinator on the student board for the Chester Community Clinic, which provides pro-bono PT, OT, Psychology, and Social Work services to patients that are under- and uninsured. If I reflect back on my time at Widener, it is clear to me that Phi Delta Theta had a significant impact on my life and greatly shaped me into the person and leader that I am today.

The athletic event I have chosed will be a 15 kilometer (9.32 mile) race called the Hot Chocolate Race in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 4th, 2020. I have chosen this event because it will challenge me significantly and require training throughout the upcoming months to make sure I am able to successfully complete the race.

Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.

I've set my personal goal at $1100, so I need your help. Any donation is incredibly helpful! You can make a donation at the URL I have pasted below:

http://support.ironphi.org/goto/evanpeters

You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 804 East 16th Street, Chester, PA 19013 if you'd rather donate that way.

I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,
Evan Peters