HomeRic Heiges
Texas Pi - Sam Houston State University
My Iron Phi Story
Ric Heiges' Iron Phi purpose
This year, I'll be attempting to become an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the impact it has on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through the fundraising and athletic efforts of its members. Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and our organization has taken an active role in finding a cure.
The net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment. It will also help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life.
I personally became involved with Phi Delta Theta as a freshman at my university, Sam Houston State. Through this organization I have been able to live out the university’s motto “A measure of a life is it’s service”. Volunteering has always been a big part of my life as my family raised me to always give back, and through my work as an Eagle Scout and a wrestling coach I was able to distinguish myself as youth volunteer of the year at my community in Wiesbaden, Germany. I carried that with me to my university and through Phi Delta Theta it introduced me to the battle that is ALS. Our university has so graciously allowed us to partner with Bearkat Athletics (our university sports program) to sponsor an inaugural Red Out baseball game on April 27th. We are working hard on making sure that this event is successful towards raising money for the families affected by ALS and that it can be a yearly event that the community will have for years to come. My email is rph011@shsu.edu if you have any questions about this event.
Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.
I've set my personal goal at $1,000. So I need your help. Donations by US residents are tax-deducitble)? You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 126 Varsity Drive, Huntsville TX 77340 if you’d like to donate in that way.
I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Ric Heiges
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How Does My Donation Make a Difference?
Your donation towards an Iron Phi athlete equally supports two very important things: Supporting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and support of ALS families and leadership development for undergraduate members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
At the end of each year calendar year, the LiveLikeLou Foundation grants dollars raised through Iron Phi to fund its initiatives that support ALS research, scholarships to support the higher education goals of ALS dependents, and summer camp experiences for children who have a parent or grandparent with ALS.
Dollars used for undergraduate leadership development have and continue to help Phi Delta Theta educate more of its undergraduate members as they work to “Become the Greatest Version of Themselves.”
