Paint-a-TKE

Natalie Bowers, Copy Editor|October 4, 2019

Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) hosted their “Paint a TKE” fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 12-3 p.m. on the Founders Hall (FH) lawn to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Brothers of the Tau Sigma chapter stood outside FH and let students and faculty spray them with colorful, dye-filled water-guns for donations to St. Jude.

Matthew Presson, a junior marketing major, is the chapter’s current philanthropy chair. He has been a member of TKE for three years.

“The goal of the fundraiser today is to raise $500 for St. Jude,” Presson said. “We usually raise about  $1000 a year. Our goal this year is to raise $1500.”

TKE has partnered with St. Jude since August of 1978. Danny Thomas, a brother of the fraternity, founded St. Jude Children’s Hospital in 1962.

This semester, TKE hopes to host a fundraiser every two weeks in an effort to reach this year’s fundraising goal. In previous years, they have participated in the St. Jude Walk/Run in Charlotte, NC. This year, they are traveling to participate in the Walk/Run on Sept. 28. On-campus, they also host donation tables and interactive events like “Free a TKE” and “Paint a TKE.”

Le’Darrieus Dunlap, a junior biology major and the current vice president of their chapter, has been a member of TKE for a year and a half. “Free a TKE” and “Paint a TKE” are two of his favorite philanthropy events they have hosted so far.

“I enjoy hosting philanthropy events where we can have fun and get other students on campus involved,” Dunlap said. “I enjoy knowing that every penny we raise goes toward a kid in need.”

Philanthropy is important to the foundation of TKE’s values. Dunlap explained that it is the core of their fraternity.

“Our philanthropy ties into the principles that we hold highest,” Dunlap said. “Giving back to people in need is the whole purpose of this fraternity and brotherhood. It gives our organization purpose and value.”

TKE plans to have more interactive fundraisers later in the semester, including “Balling for Brains,” a basketball tournament to benefit their other philanthropy, the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer’s Association. They also plan to host “Free a TKE” again in the spring semester. To support their year-long fundraiser for St. Jude, go to fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/TKE/TKE?pg.