Benjamin Valderrama, Ruben Trujillo, Gregory Estevez, Douglas Mendoza, James Ridings and Alan Weinreb take up the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease.
Phi Delta Theta is a “dry,” alcohol-free fraternity on the University of La Verne campus. Instead, its members imbibe from the fountain of imagination.
From 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26, to 11 a.m., Friday, March 27, Phi Delta Theta pledges continuously rode a 14-foot teeter-totter to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness, resulting in paralysis. Phi Delta Theta took up the cause because Lou Gehrig, the immortal Yankee slugger, was a Phi Delt at Columbia University.
While the pledges were teetering and tottering, many of the Phi Delta Theta upperclassmen were standing in front of the La Verne Police Department, hailing passersby to donate to the fund.
We’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” said senior Phi Delt Alan Weinreb. “People have been honking their horns, saying their prayers and donating. ALs affects millions of people.”
Meanwhile, Freshman pledges Alex Hacker and John Leggett were experiencing college’s ups and downs, courtesy of the giant teeter-totter, hazing away the day when they probably both should have been in chemistry class. At least, those who had to ride the night shift were entertained by a band from 10 p.m. until midnight.
Anything for a good cause! That’s the Phi Delta Theta way.