Every year, the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), hosts a “Jumpathon” at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. During this fundraiser, this campus organization has a trampoline outside right next to the clock tower on campus between The Al Harris Library and the Student Union. For one whole week, the fraternity has rotations of its members out on this trampoline for 24 hours straight, Monday through Friday. The trampoline is never left unattended, and this fundraiser has no breaks or stops, even overnight. They also shave some members’ heads during the week in support of the children at St. Jude.
Philanthropy Chair, Isaiah Martin said, “We do the trampoline over a “normal” fundraiser because it draws attention. You know, something smack dab in the middle of campus is going to make people notice it. That will also make them more curious to come check it out and that has the potential to get us more donations.” President of TKE, Michael Bloodsworth, said, “We really just want to get as much engagement from the students as we can and also just show to the campus we’re really serious about this Philanthropy cause, and it is something we really care about, so much that we’re willing to stay out here for a week straight to raise money for these kids.” Marshall Loveday, Sergeant At Arms Chair for TKE, said, “This philanthropy means so much to us because we have a member who is a cancer survivor, so it kind of hits home for us. It helps us break the typical fraternity stereotype and shows that we actually have something in our heart worth more than just partying and drinking and all that.” Loveday continued with, “We’re really close with a lot of the St. Jude reps, they love us, we love them, so anything we can do to help is really what we wanna do. We hold this philanthropy dear to our heart, I mean, that may sound typical, but we really do love it. If you were to talk to us and ask us, “why,” a lot of our members will say they joined TKE for St. Jude. The Jumpathon is our favorite time of the year. We make good memories here and it helps us get more involved with the campus. We can use our numbers to make a good difference in the world, and I mean, in the kids’ lives.”
The fraternity’s goal this year is to raise $20,000 in support of St. Jude’s. If they raise this much money, it would be a record amount raised by this fundraiser for the hospital. So far this week, they have raised around $7,500. Last year, they raised $15,459.65 for the charity. All proceeds TKE makes this week will go to St. Jude’s. They accept donations in cash, checks (must be made out to Tau Kappa Epsilon), Venmo (TKE-EH), or you can Cash App any of the members. This fundraiser is running from September 30th, 2024, to October 4th, 2024, 24 hours a day, and the members of TKE appreciate any and all donations that their fellow students, SWOSU faculty, and the Weatherford community would like to make to this cause, and even if you can’t donate, they would love for you to come by and talk to them! Be sure to make your way over to the clock tower this week and help out these guys with their great cause!!
