Delta Omega’s annual Cookout for Kids is April 3rd, 2008. Check back for me details and meal order forms.
Philanthropy is a very important aspect of being a member of Phi Kappa Tau, for if a young man believes in our ideals and thus chooses to become a brother, he will act according to those ideals. While we hope to achieve this in all our actions in any discipline that we might pursue, it also helps to have an organized philanthropic program to help us achieve more. Many of the things we do help strengthen our brotherhood and increase our benevolent effect on the campus and outlying community. However, the level of commitment is a personal choice of each brother.

Locally, we are involved in a number of events that arise throughout the year and one enormous event in the spring. We help out with events that come through the University Serve Center as well as helping other organizations, both Greek and non-Greek with their philanthropy work. Some events from this past year include highway clean-up, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and helping the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority’s fundraiser, “Rocking For Robbie”, by rocking in rocking chairs for an entire day to benefit Polio research.

Additionally, each spring we organize the “Cookout for Kids” which is one of the largest philanthropy projects of all Phi Kappa Tau chapters nationally. During the Cookout, we go to businesses, students, and individuals around Kirksville and sell meals to them. Then on one day we have a massive BBQ and deliver all these meals. The profits we make, and a substantial amount of donations from different businesses, go to our national Philanthropy project, The Hole in the Wall Camps. These are one-week summer camps for children with chronic or terminal illnesses. These camps were founded by Paul Newman, a Phi Tau alum. We are one of the largest monetary contributors to these camps in the nation, with last years donations totaling over $1,600. Many of our Brothers also spend a week, or their entire summer, at these camps and will tell you without exception that it was one of the best experiences of their lives. Philanthropy work gives you the opportunity to develop as a well-rounded person, a person who decides to make the sacrifice of giving back to those who are less fortunate. Our philanthropy is something we take great pride in for this reason.