Giving back isn’t something Phi Delts just talk about. Community service and philanthropy are essential parts of living up to the standards of the Fraternity. Each chapter has the opportunity to create their own events that impact their community. Beyond chapter projects, individual members can also choose to work with a national organization while others choose to take on local projects on their campus and in their community.
Phi Delta Theta has chosen The ALS Association (alsa.org) as its national philanthropy in honor of Phi Delta Theta member and Baseball Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig. Each year, thousands of dollars are raised for The ALS Association through the efforts of our Phi Delta Theta chapters and the General Headquarters. The benefit derived from community service is a two-way street. Not only will the community benefit from your help, but you can also benefit both personally and professionally.
Each year, the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity presents the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to the Major League Baseball Player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Brother Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field. This award is the first and only “officially” sanctioned Major League Baseball award given to ballplayers by a fraternity. Lou Gehrig was a distinguished member of Phi Delta Theta and a man of integrity. The award was created to acknowledge an individual player’s outstanding commitment to both his community and philanthropy. Since the award’s inception in 1955, the name of each recipient has been placed on the permanent Gehrig Award plaque, located at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
One way Phi Delts raise money is through Iron Phi. To become an “Iron Phi, participants select an athletic endeavor (marathon, half-marathon, running relay, triathlon, duathlon, ironman, bike race, etc.), raise $1,000 through the Iron Phi website, and accomplish the athletic event itself.
