Pikes fraternity raised six times their goal for toy and clothing donations
Utah State University’s Pi Kappa Alpha (Pikes) fraternity raised over $15,000 in money, toy and clothing donations for Primary Children’s Hospital during their Pikes and Tykes toy and clothing drive.
The original goal was $1,500 in money donations and $2,000 in toy and clothing donations, said Pi Kappa Alpha Public Relations Chairman Jonathan Whipple. The final numbers resulted in over $3,000 in money donations and $12,000 in toy and clothing donations, six times the goal amount of toy and clothing donations they expected to receive.
“It feels amazing to help make such a huge impact for such a good cause,” said Ian Frankland, a junior studying civil engineering.
The fraternity brothers centered the toy drive around three weeks of events on Utah State University campus. The fraternity also set up donation tables outside the south and north Walmart entrances on Saturdays March 19, 26 and April 2. They also hosted fundraising nights at Buffalo Wild Wings and placed a donation jar at Angie’s, Whipple said.
“My favorite part was talking to the head of the (hospital) department and actually finding out how much of an impact the toys will have and what they will be used for,” said Dalton Wilson, a senior majoring in management information systems.
Last Thursday the fraternity drove to Primary Children’s hospital to drop off the donations they collected.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Internal VP Justin Campbell, a junior studying philosophy and psychology. “They were so excited to have us there. It was also incredibly humbling touring the facility and seeing all the passionate volunteers and staff who work hard to make it such an incredible place.”
When the fraternity pulled up at the hospital in a Subaru, the hospital staff assumed they had only brought a few donations, Campbell said. But the assumption changed when a large U-haul truck arrived, transporting the donations from Logan to Primary Children’s Hospital.
“It went great. The staff was very appreciative and getting to see the hospital really made it worth while,” said Ethan Benowitz, a junior majoring in computer science. “Their toy room was running a bit low on Barbies, Hot Wheels, Play-Doh, so it was great being able to give them what the kids really enjoy.”
The hospital policy kept the fraternity brothers from giving the toys directly to the patients, but they helped the hospital staff restock the toy room, said Benowitz.
“It went great,” said Nick Lyle, a senior majoring in business administration. “They had a huge need for a lot of the toys that we brought. We brought so many toys we had to put a lot of them in their basement because they would’t fit in the closet they usually keep them.”
Pi Kappa Alpha organizes a community donation drive every semester. In the past they have raised food donations for the Cache Community Food Bank. The total number of collections last semester was 3.2 tons of food. They collected 2.7 tons the semester prior to that.
“I think it was extremely successful, especially considering it was the first time we’ve done this event,” Frankland said.
Overall, it was an effort of the Pikes, as well as many others in the community.
“I think the success of the toy drive affirms that a fraternity and its community can do great things,” said Connor Gery, a junior majoring in business finance. “Gamma Epsilon put many hours to pull Pikes and Tykes together, but if it wasn’t for the good will of the community here in Logan, none of this would have been possible.”
— ashley.ruth.stilson@aggiemail.usu.edu