Photo courtesy of Max Forsythe/Theta Chi
When Kyle Mitchell heard a young patient at the hospital say, “This is the best night of my life,” during last year’s prom he knew he was doing the right thing. Mitchell and several other members of UT’s Theta Chi Fraternity volunteer at Shriner’s Hospital for children.
The fraternity has been volunteering at the hospital every Friday from 1-2:30 p.m. for seven years and Mitchell, a senior, started his fourth year this semester.
Mitchell, Theta Chi’s Greek Sing chair, and some of his brothers go every Friday and they are now bringing along their new pledges this semester to show the patients a good time.
“Going back to our childhood years and bring our games in to play,” Mitchell said. “We show them how fun we can be.”
Mitchell relates to the young patients and tries to keep their mind off of each of their situation. They host several events throughout the year including a Halloween party complete with a spook trail and a prom in the spring.
This year Max Forsythe, Theta Chi’s philanthropy chair, said the hospital staff invited UT’s Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi to participate in a skit contest for this year’s Halloween festivities.
Forsythe enjoys setting up the activities which occur mostly during the holidays and his weekly time spent at the hospital always seems to fly by.
Forsythe says that even if you don’t do anything all day, volunteering at the hospital gives him a very fulfilling feeling. The brothers raise funds through working at a concession stand for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and car washes.
Matt Oleksak, vice-president of Theta Chi, said that each event costs roughly $500. UT’s Theta Chi Epsilon Zeta chapter currently has 47 active members and they want to make volunteering at the hospital a permanent thing.
UT’s Theta Chi chapter has been recognized nationally by the President of the National Interfraternity Council for their philanthropic efforts.
Last year, P.E.A.C.E. awarded Theta Chi with the volunteer organization of the year. Just as the patients look forward to seeing them every week, the brothers of Theta Chi can’t wait to put smiles on their face.
