RICHMOND, VA - This week, the Lambda Chi Chapter announced completion of its 7th Annual Fireman's Challenge, an event designed to raise money for the Evans-Haynes Burn Center on the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). With the help of VCU sororities, the True Oak Housing Corporation, and alumni from the chapter, the gentlemen of Pi Kappa Alpha were able to raise $23,090.
Typically, Fireman's Challenge is a week-long philanthropy consisting of multiple outdoor events and culminating with a field day of activities on the final day. However, because of the global pandemic and the restrictions placed on large social gatherings, traditional Fireman's Challenge activities were all cancelled. After a few weeks of retooling, Fire Chief Michael Dew (Lambda Chi, '18) proposed a new online format in an effort to continue this annual tradition. "In order to make this year so successful we had to think on our toes and really do something that would get people involved without physically being there," Dew said. "We opted for the most interactive week of events we felt was possible within the time frame and the circumstances we were given. I think
$23,000 for burn survivors speaks for itself. Everyone who supported this year's event has made a huge impact on these individual's lives, and that's what truly matters."
The week began with a 12-hour Instagram fitness challenge where brothers completed workouts sent in by viewers. With 10 reps of each exercise costing only $1, it didn't take long before donations started rolling in. "For my first Fireman's Challenge, I had low expectations due to the online format," said Matt Berard (Lambda Chi, '19), an active brother in the chapter. "Those expectations were simply blown out of the water."
On Tuesday, sororities were challenged to create their own TikTok video. All submissions were posted on the Chapter's Instagram page for voting. On Wednesday, brothers were challenged to fill in donation bingo cards posted to their personal Instagram stories. Friday was double points day and sororities came out swinging to be the top name on the leader board. In the end it was Sigma Sigma Sigma who won and were crowned the Fireman's Challenge champions.
Lambda Chi Chapter brothers posing with the sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma outside the Chapter House last year.
Throughout the week, though, numerous alumni gave generously to the Chapter's cause. One donation came from Ryan Yeatman (Lambda Chi, '12) and his fiancée Alexandra. When asked why they made such a large donation, he said, "It was an easy decision for us to donate to Fireman's Challenge because it supports two organizations that hold a special place in our hearts. As a Firefighter/EMT, I have a deeper understanding of the challenges people are facing when they must receive treatment for burns and reconstructive surgeries at the Evans-Haynes Burn Center. Both of us also can't help but want to see the chapter succeed in their goals, especially when it means giving back to the community. As much as we've received from PIKE - support, lasting friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime - it only made sense to help them to help others."
"I donated because I know how important Fireman's Challenge is to the active chapter and to the people who receive aid from the chapter's efforts," said Alex Swanson (Lambda Chi, '15). "To be honest I was a little apprehensive about them holding it online," he added. "I thought given the current climate of our country, hosting a philanthropy would be next to impossible especially when done virtually. But the guys stayed true to the Lambda Chi [Chapter] tradition of raising the most philanthropic dollars at VCU. I’m incredibly proud and humbled to be able to claim this organization as my own while I brag on their efforts."
"Leading up to Fireman's Challenge 2020, we knew that this would be an uphill battle," said Chapter President Hezha Barzani (Lambda Chi, '18). "We knew that in order to have success, now more than ever we needed to fire on all cylinders." When asked about his thoughts on if he was expected results like these, Barzani added this: "The success of this week was not a surprise to me because I knew that the Lambda Chi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha has the ability to pull off the impossible - and we did. I attest a huge part of our success to our alumni who were not only gracious enough to donate but were active participants in the virtual week of events. I cannot thank them enough!"
If you missed out on giving during the week, don't worry. Donations are still being accepted. Visit the Chapter's Fireman's Challenge website at firemanschallenge.org. All donations go directly to the Evans-Haynes Burn Center, a 16-bed unit that treats 400-450 patients per year including pediatric and adult burn patients. The Burn Center serves as the regional resource for the care of acute burns and reconstructive needs of burn survivors and provides care for people injured from fire, chemical, scalds, electrical burns and skin loss injuries and diseases.
The Lambda Chi Chapter Alumni Association wants to thank all those who participated and showed their generosity during these difficult times.