Service
Phi Theta Kappans Give Generously to Hope Lodge
Each year a service agency in the International Convention host state is designated as the Convention Service Project. In 2004, chapters attending the Minneapolis Convention donated more than 17,000 items, 30,000 phone minutes and $1,000 in cash to the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minnesota. The Hope Lodge provides a temporary, home-like residence without charge to cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment. Hope Lodge officials were overwhelmed by the response and expressed their gratitude to Phi Theta Kappa for our support of the Rochester Hope Lodge and for our efforts to fight cancer.
Phi Theta Kappa Announces Million Dollar Challenge!
At the Society's recent International Convention the 2003-04 International Officers challenged Phi Theta Kappa chapters to raise a total of $1 million for the American Cancer Society by 2006. This goal is part of the 2004-06 International Service Program, Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight.
Phi Theta Kappa chapters are already well on their way to meeting this goal, having raised $344,244 during the first year of our Conquering Cancer Service Program. Most of the money raised has been through the American Cancer Society's Relay For LifeŽ, a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and to raise money for research and the programs of the American Cancer Society.
Relay For Life Reporting
To help us meet our $1 million goal, it is imperative that all participating chapters report their Relay For Life activities! Simply keep track of the following:
- Number of members participating on chapter's team
- Total funds raised by chapter's team
- Total number of hours spent planning and participating in Relay event
Once your Relay event is finished, complete the online Relay For Life Report Form at www.ptk.org/service/relayform.htm. All Relay Report Forms must be submitted by September 15, 2004. For more information, contact Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford at 601.984.3532.
Raising Money Doesn't Have To Be Hard Work...
Try one of these proven fundraisers for your Relay Team or as a separate event to benefit the American Cancer Society.
- Challenges: Challenge another team on campus or in your community to raise more than you. Some radio stations may gladly promote your challenge on air.
- Donut Days: Get donuts donated from a bakery, and sell them on campus.
- Day Spa: Raffle off a day of beauty.
- Hoagie Sale: Hold a hoagie sale on campus or around town, taking orders ahead of time.
- Lunch with the College President: After getting approval, auction off lunch or a round of golf with the college president.
- Movie Night: Invite students and faculty for a night at the movies. Your chapter can provide the popcorn and soda and charge admission.
- Parking Space Auction: Auction off the College President's parking spot. Don't forget to get the administration's approval!
- Student/Faculty Baseball Game: Set up a benefit baseball game between students and faculty. Or put together an alumni game. Challenge a local radio or television employee team.
- Wait Tables: Work with a restaurant on a specific night designated to benefit the American Cancer Society. Your team would be the waiters for the evening collecting tips as well as possibly a percentage of that evening's receipts.
American Cancer Society Challenges Us to Protect the Truth
It's time to protect the truth. Truth is the largest youth-focused anti-tobacco education campaign ever. Many experts see it as the only campaign to have a significant impact in reducing the number of American teenagers who use tobacco. This campaign is crucial to saving lives, but it is in jeopardy of ending.
The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement required the big tobacco companies to make payments to the Public Education Fund, which in turn funded the Truth campaign. But in March 2003, those payments stopped. The Citizens Commission to Protect the Truth came together to persuade the tobacco companies to continue funding the campaign, because the truth is, this campaign works.
- 75 percent of all 12 to 17 year-olds in the nation (21 million) can accurately describe one or more of the Truth ads.
- Nearly 90 percent (25 million) said the ad they saw was convincing.
- 85 percent (24 million) said the ad gave them good reasons not to smoke.
The commission is collecting signatures from concerned Americans to convince big tobacco companies to continue funding the youth anti-smoking campaign - and here's where you can help! As part of our International Service Program, Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight, Phi Theta Kappa is encouraging chapters to visit www.protectthetruth.org and sign the petition today. Tell others about it to help the commission reach its goal of one million signatures. Take a stand to help end youth smoking! For more information about youth smoking or the dangers of tobacco, contact the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or 1.800.ACS.2345.
