Members, alumni members, and the advisor of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College took part in a Kansas Region Project to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis on December 3rd. 

Representing Eta Gamma in the 5K (3.1 miles) race were alumni members Jacob Asbridge, Jacy Bach, Jakey Dobbs, Amelia Firns-Hubert, and Jeremy Willard and current chapter vice-president of service, Wes Burdiek. An inspirational aspect of the race took the runners on the grounds of St. Jude where many of the young patients clapped and cheered for the runners’ efforts.  Wes Burdiek placed tenth in the 5K finishing in just over 19 minutes. Over 3,000 runners competed in the race. The full marathon began at 8:00 a.m. with Jeff Hughes, past Kansas Region Director of Alumni Relations, representing Kansas.  Phi Theta Kappa volunteers manned the aid station on Manassas Street where they would provide water and power drinks to runners in the 5K race.  They were assisted in this project by members from the Tennessee Region. 

Following the races, there was a post-race celebration downtown followed by a fellowship dinner with the Tennessee Region.  For their participation, members received St. Jude T-shirts while the chapter purchased an event tree ornament for the Phi Theta Kappa Christmas tree. 

Representing the Eta Gamma Chapter were alumni members Amelia Firns-Hubert, Kansas State University; Megan Hoppenstedt, Jacy Bach, and Jakey Dobbs, Pittsburg State University; Jacob Asbridge, Wichita State University; Michael Frazier, Missouri Valley College; Jeremy Willard, University of Kansas; and Phillip Hagebusch, Emporia State University.  Current chapter members included Cecilia Kamau, Alexandria Black, Stephanie Miller, Melissa Morgan, Wes Burdiek, and Caitlin Hollinger. Each year, the marathon weekend raises several million dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.