GREELEY, Colo. — Colorado has seen its share of heartache and heartbreak this summer in the form of senseless disasters that affected the lives of many.
People were forced to evacuate from homes, vigorously racing against the clock to escape the raging fire and smoke. Then, returning home with uncertainty if anything remains at all.
Soon after, an exciting premiere to a highly-anticipated Batman movie turned to fear as many lost their lives by the hands of a suspected lone gunman.
Needless to say, Colorado has seen an unusual amount of disaster this summer, but thanks to the members of UNC’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity chapter, there is hope at the end of the summer.
“We decided to do a fundraiser for the victims of the wildfire and shootings in Colorado,” said Charlie Charbonneau, a senior sports and exercise science major and Pi Kappa Phi President. “We are splitting the money raised 50/50 between the American Red Cross for the wildfire victims and Hope Rises for the shooting victims.”
Since Thursday, Aug. 23, members of Pi Kappa Phi have been riding stationary bikes around the clock in front of the University Center finishing at 5 p.m., Sunday.
“(We’re trying to) raise as much money as possible for what we consider to be two great causes,” said Brock McLaughlin, a sophomore elementary education major. “We have a sign-up sheet for as many hour long shifts as guys want.”
This is not out of the ordinary to see members of Pi Kappa Phi riding stationary bikes outside of the University Center. They have incorporated this unique tactic for their fundraisers before.
“I think it’s awesome we're raising awareness. A lot of people were affected by both of these disasters,” said Andrew Heintzelman, a sophomore communications major. “We can bring our event down here to show our support for the state of Colorado.”
This article was reprinted with permission. Courtesy of The Mirror – Conor McCabe