By David Ford
The Youngstown State University chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity is currently raising money to donate to St. Jude’s Hospital, the fraternity’s national charity.
According to Kevin Kosko, the president of YSU’s TKE chapter, said the frat’s national goal is $2.6 million, while the chapter at YSU’s goal is $1,300.
“All of the fundraising is designed to collect donations to build a machine in St. Jude’s that is specifically designed to detect and eradicate brain tumors,” Kosko said. “I was first told by a fellow brother at the University of Central Florida and I was definitely interested in helping.”
As of now, six members of TKE are participating in the St. Jude fundraiser with volunteers from other organizations helping out.
Liam McCarthy, a fledgling member of TKE, said that the original donation goal for the YSU chapter was $1,000, but since extra volunteers decided to help, the goal was raised to $1,300.
“Collectively, between our online donations and our basket raffles, we have raised around $210 towards our goal of $1,300, McCarthy said. “We will be having tables in Kilcawley Center during the week leading up to our event on the 29th.”
McCarthy hopes that these tables in Kilcawley will ultimately help reach the ultimate goal before their event later this month. McCarthy also stated that the event will be attended mostly by Greek life and some chapter alumni, but encourages all students, as well as friends and family to attend.
There is currently no clear timetable as to when TKE’s ultimate goal of $2.6 million will be met, but several members expressed hope that it would all be completed relatively soon.
Noah Tomallo, a member of TKE at YSU, said that the entire donation goal for the entire fraternity will hopefully be met by the end of the year.
“As of right now, I’d have to give as estimate that the entire goal will hopefully be met by the end of this year,” Tomallo said. “I can’t say that with certainty, but we are definitely hopefully about it.”
Kosko said that his fraternity is involved with an event called Bald Dudes for St. Jude’s, where each participating member will get their heads shaved bald by someone in the audience. The event coincides with the entire fundraiser for St. Jude’s Hospital.
“Currently, my monetary goal is $750. If the goal is met, we will auction ourselves off at the event to the highest bidder.” Kosko said. “The highest bidder will get to shave that members head.”
Bald Dudes for St. Jude’s is April 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Hub.
