OUR PHILANTHROPY
In 1988,actor Paul Newman, Ohio ‘43, founded Hole in the Wall Gang Camp on a 300-acre piece of land in Connecticut. Now SeriousFun Children’s Network, this camp was designed as a place where children with terminal or life-threatening illness could escape their medical conditions for a little while to just be kids and, in Paul’s own words, “to raise a little hell.” Today, SeriousFun camps have served over 1,000,000 children in 20 different countries – all free of charge. Phi Kappa Tau has been formally partnered with SeriousFun for over 25 years. In that lifetime, we’ve raised $1.6 million dollars.
VOLUNTEER
Phi Kappa Tau and SeriousFun have a special relationship. In addition to our shared history, Phi Kappa Tau provides the camp with much-needed male volunteers. Since 2008, our members have provided SeriousFun with over 2,000 volunteers and 100 full time staff members. Their manpower, work ethic, and leadership are a continued valuable addition to the camps.
If you are interested in volunteering at a SeriousFun camp, you can find volunteer or staff openings at a camp near you here.
SERIOUS FUN STIPENDS
Joshua Berman Memorial SeriousFun Stipend
The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation provides one $1,000 stipend to an undergraduate who has volunteered at a SeriousFun camp in the past and plans to volunteer again for more than five days. This stipend was created in memory of Joshua Berman, the son of Shelley, Southern California ‘05, and Sara Berman. Joshua died of cancer in September 1977 at the age of 13. This fund was endowed by Bob Plumleigh, Southern California ‘47, and his wife, Betty.
24 Hour Couch Sit Raises $3,000.00
On September 24th and 25th of 2021, Our chapter held a 24 Hour couch sit to Fundraise for Serious Fun Children’s camps.
We had a couple of brothers do the full 24 hours and the rest of the brothers came when they weren’t in class or at another activity.
We ended up raising more than $3,000.00 for our Philanthropy which is the most we have raised in a long time and will continue to do this in years to come!
