Beard-a-Thon
 

Just thought this was a neat philanthropy event.. thought I'd share!

Marlin Chronicle
Virginia Wesleyan College
October 22, 2004

Keep it clean, gentlemen ... Beard-A-Thon 2004

By Eric Winkelman

Fraternities Phi Kappa Tau and Kappa Alpha are
both sponsoring an event known as the
Beard-A-Thon, which started on Oct. 1. In this
event, certain willing members of each fraternity
are trying to go 77 days without shaving while
members not participating must pay ten-cents a
day for 77 days.

"I'm going 77 days without a doubt," said senior
Matt Davison, president of Phi Kappa Tau.

In Kappa Alpha, there are only two members,
sophomores Jeff Zenisek and Ben Henderson, who
are trying to go the distance without shaving. In
Phi Kappa Tau, members Davison, senior Josh
Lampman, juniors Kevin Wright, Joe Durso,
sophomores John Alutto, Tim Hahn and RaSean
Barbour are all trying to go the 77 days. Seth
Brady, assistant dean of students for Residence
Life, brought the event to Wesleyan.

"It's interesting to see what some people will look like," said
Zenisek.

However, besides being fun and games, this is
for a good cause as well. They're doing it to
raise money for the national philanthropy, the
Hole in the Wall Gang, an organization for
terminally ill children.

"I'm doing it because it's for a good cause," said Hahn.

The ten-cents a day goes to the Hole in the Wall Gang for summer
camp.

"I think it's a good thing to do," said Barbour.
"I'd do anything to help kids and charity in
general."

Davidson said, "I love kids, plus it saves me time in the morning."

Actor Paul Newman, a Phi Tau brother, originally
created the Beard-a-Thon event. It was a fun way
to raise money and help charity.

"I think it's pretty good," said Zenisek. "It's
an interesting way to raise money for IFC
(Interfraternity Council)."

The IFC is a group related to the fraternities
that's supporting the Hole in the Wall Gang. The
first half of the money raised goes to the IFC,
while the second half will be given to the
winning fraternity.

Brady said he'll give whoever outlasts him in the Beard-a-Thon $50.

"I can't believe I've gone as long as I have,"
said Zenisek "I've never gone two days without
shaving. Ever!"

However, the fraternity members still showed
signs that they were more enthusiastic because
they were helping out charity. "It makes me feel
that I'm doing my part to help sick children,"
said Barbour.

"To help people in general."

Some students have expressed discomfort.

"For a while it was pretty itchy," said Zenisek.
"And I hated wearing collared shirts for a while."