Shinerama has come and gone and the boys came out strong assisting in raising funds for the cause. Coming off the heels of a successful philanthropic year, the men started off this year correct. Our first event tackled an issue that hits close to home, Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease which affects the entire body causing progressive disability and often early death. It is known as the most common and fatal genetic disease, one that has claimed the life of many including a brother and friend, Pat LeBlanc.
The largest post-secondary fundraiser in Canada, Shinerama involves students at almost 60 university and college campuses across Canada, raising money for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This event allows over 2000 new and returning students, starting at 6 a.m., to unite though original activities such as shining shoes and cars as well as selling raffle tickets, hot dogs and burgers, encouraging Ottawa citizens to give generously to the cause. Delta Pi donated $200+ of our own money, filling our aptly named Pat LeBlanc Memorial Trophy.
"Pat LeBlanc memorial trophy aptly filled with donations."
"Ian Thompson, active brother donating over $100 to the cause."
In the words of our esteemed alumni Derek Wilson, “Pat was an amazing man, extremely active and proud… [He was] integral in founding Sigma Alpha Mu, our founding fraternity. He also helped establish the 1st Greek council at Ottawa U allowing Greek Olympics to be possible today. He wasn’t able to lead directly because of Cystic Fibrosis, but his support for me made my accomplishments possible. He lived life to the max, he never let people know he had CF, and he never let it know it had him. For more on Pat LeBlanc and the Pat LeBlanc Memorial Trophy, refer to his article on the site.
Being only the first philanthropy event of the year, we plan on using the momentum from this fundraiser to kick-start even more successful than our previous years combined. Monthly events will shift our focus from only raging hard to raging hard and positively contributing to our society. If the year progresses into the one we expect it too, Delta Pi will be not only be following our mantra but exceeding it in building better and stronger men.
By: Jevon James, Philanthropy Chair
