Fraternity Supports Philanthropy with Cookout

Truman’s chapter of Phi Kappa Tau will conduct its annual Cookout for Kids April 5 to benefit the SeriousFun camps for children with chronic or terminal illnesses.

This year’s cookout menu includes a pulled pork sandwich or veggie burger, along with chips, a cookie and a soda or bottled water for $5. All pre-ordered meals will be delivered between 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Members will be taking orders from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 20-22 and March 27-29 at a table in the Student Union Building. Orders also can be made online through March 30 at truman.phikappatau.org/cookout or by contacting Spencer Wilson.

In an effort to prepare and sell as many meals as possible, Phi Kappa Tau members have worked with area businesses to secure donations and keep their costs low. Among those making in-kind contributions to the Cookout for Kids are Smithfield Foods, the Wooden Nickel, Hy-Vee and Walmart. Several other businesses have made financial contributions, including: Kirksville Motor Company; Sonny’s Collision Center; Galt Speak; Heritage House Realty; Peters Heating and Air Conditioning; Woody’s Tire and Auto; North Kansas City Electric; Forethought Travel LLC; Earl T. Burton, agent, New York Life Ins. Co.; Kirksville Pharmacy; Rapture Hair Salon; Holiday Inn Express; Kirksville Country Club; Hampton Inn; Vicki Benson and RE/MAX Home Team; the Benson Law Firm LLC; and Pepsi-Cola Memphis Bottling Co. Inc.

Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, a Phi Kappa Tau alumnus, founded the SeriousFun camps. They provide multiple one-week camping experiences for children who suffer from chronic and terminal illnesses that require around-the-clock care and frequent hospitalizations. The camps offer these experiences free of charge to children’s families, and it is only through contributions the camps are able to continue. One hundred percent of the profits from Cookout for Kids go to the camps.