Phi Kap-owned or operated brands to shop from for last-minute holiday gifts…

If your loved ones are on the nice list this year, consider gifting them a product or service offered by a Phi Kap.

We've curated this list of brands on two conditions: it must be Phi Kap owned or operated and purchases can easily be made online.

• College Hill Custom Threads

  collegehillcustomthreads.com

  Tony Poston (Washington State, ‘07)

  What started as an idea for fraternity t-shirts in a one-bedroom apartment above a college bar in Pullman, Washington has grown into a business named one of the fastest-growing in America by Inc. 5000. Despite their rapid growth, the custom apparel and promotional products company has remained committed to supporting clients' philanthropic causes, having donated more than $200,000 to deeply inspiring causes across the nation.

  • Check out their endless virtual closet of custom apparel and products

• Hair Craft Co.

  haircraftco.com

  Leo Carillo (San Diego State, ‘16) and Alex Padua (San Diego State, ‘14)

  As a barber in college, Leo saw a need for high-quality hair products at a fair price. He and his best friend Alex eventually put their savings together to test a mix of premium ingredients from around the world. Since then, their products have been featured in GQ Magazine, Gadget Review, and Gear Hungry, and have become Amazon’s Choice in men’s hair care.

  • Head over to their website today for free shipping or 15% off your order (discount code: HC15)

• Kamiak Coffee Company

  kamiakcoffeeco.com

  Kyle O’Malley (Washington State, ‘17) and Grant Schoenlein (Washington State, ‘16)

  Kyle and Grant started their obsession with coffee in the early days of college. They asked themselves, “If we could do anything in life, what would we love to do?" The answer was simple: coffee. Why? They both had years of experience in the industry but were often disappointed in the coffee they found in the market. Today, they offer the world's finest coffee for wholesale partners and home consumers alike.

  • Today, enjoy holiday bundles and free shipping on orders $40+

• Kaps for Kids

  kaps4kids.com

  Nathan Rues (Missouri S&T, ‘02)

  In 2007, Nathan unveiled his first bottle cap artwork, a rendition of Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night painting. The mosaic was well received and he soon found himself with numerous requests for additional designs made from his beer cap collection. Today, Nathan continues constructing his whimsical mosaics with a mission to fund important children’s causes nationwide. Nathan served on the Fraternity Board for 12 years and was National President from 20011 to 2013.

  • Nathan currently offers free shipping on ALL orders

• Pura Vida Bracelets

  puravidabracelets.com

  Paul Goodman (San Diego State, ‘10)

  Paul and his high school friend Griffin were inspired by bracelet artisans while on a post-graduation surf trip in Costa Rica. What started out as helping sell just a few bracelets a week grew into a worldwide movement with millions of bracelets sold each year. Over the last few years, the lifestyle brand has partnered with more than 175 charities to donate nearly $2.8 million for causes around the world. In 2015, Paul was the recipient of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

  • Right now, enjoy free shipping on orders $40+ or refer a friend to get $10

• Trust & Will

  trustandwill.com

  Cody Barbo (San Diego State, ‘12)

  Cody is an entrepreneur and three-time startup founder. In his role as co-founder and CEO of Trust & Will, Barbo has raised over $25 million in startup capital to modernize the $170B estate planning industry with an easy, fast, and secure way to set up estate plans online. He currently serves on the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Board and in 2019 was the recipient of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

  • Take their free quiz or visit their learning center to learn more

PHI KAPPA THETA FOUNDATION

If these options don't ring any bells and you're interested in supporting collegiate brothers… your gift to either our Annual Fund or a Chapter Endowment Fund of an active chapter will provide more educational development opportunities to brothers.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Alternatively, our new mentorship program is an excellent way for alumni to give their time and talent to collegiate members seeking advice on personal and professional goals.

Do you know a Phi Kap with a business we can promote? Let us know!

How our chapter at Penn State turned to virtual fundraising for THON™ – For The Kids

Written by: Ben Borus ‘22 and Joseph Mondy ‘21

Each February, the Pennsylvania Beta Gamma Chapter at Penn State University celebrates THON weekend inside the Bryce Jordan Center located on campus. THON, the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world, is a year-long fundraising campaign aimed at raising funds for the fight against pediatric cancer. However, this year, COVID-19 turned the THON community and the Beta Gamma chapter’s plans upside down.

2020 THON event at Penn State

When our chapter members experienced the COVID-19 lockdown in March, many in the brotherhood were unsure how long the restrictions would last as the virus was still being researched. As the pandemic edged into summer, the THON community received news that would completely change the event–the 2021 event would be an all-virtual experience. At first, feelings of complete disappointment filled our brotherhood; the school year's best weekend was not going to hold up to the celebrations of years prior. Despite this news, however, the PA Beta Gamma Chapter was determined to make the most of a fundraising window. With the momentum gained from raising $40,000 this past year for 2020’s THON, our brothers got to work.

In previous years, canvassing throughout some of our brothers' hometowns and neighborhoods was the go-to way to fundraise. With social distancing in place, we had to redesign our efforts around DonorDrive, an online donation platform. This website allows THON volunteers to create a personal fundraising goal within their organization without relying on physical donations. While DonorDrive had been around before the pandemic, we have never relied on it as much as we do now.

We also realized that we needed to think outside the box to make our fundraising goal a reality. This fall, brothers started sending “THONvelopes,” letters sent to family and friends that explain our mission and allow another revenue stream for fundraising.

Brothers of the PA Beta Gamma chapter

Motivating the brotherhood to contribute to THON in any way they can has been a crucial task for our THON chairs this year. With virtual engagement being of the utmost importance, small brotherhood events like video game tournaments become the new normal. And with incentives for brothers, “fundraisers of the month” have left the chapter feeling as though we’re picking up right where we left off from THON 2020. The chapter has raised $7,766.78 to date and is excited to provide new fundraising opportunities that partner with both local and global businesses.

This pandemic may have changed many aspects of our daily lives, but the fight to end pediatric cancer remains intact. Pennsylvania Beta Gamma has an amazing team of dedicated brothers to serve as chairs for this event: Joseph Mondy ‘21, Kamron Sarmadi ’21, Thayne George ‘21, Jack Bush ‘22, Max Watson ‘22, and Dylan McEvoy ‘21. We ask brothers from all chapters of Phi Kappa Theta to join us in this fight so that someday, no child or family will ever have to hear the word “cancer” again. To learn more about our THON efforts or contribute to our cause, please visit the link listed below or send our Primary THON Chair, Joseph Mondy, an email.

"Give, expecting nothing thereof..."

DonorDrive: https://donate.thon.org/?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2169

Louisiana Omicron Brothers assist in hurricane relief efforts

Written by: Alex East (Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette, ‘21)

Earlier this fall, three brothers from the Louisiana Omicron chapter donated furniture to a charity in New Orleans to aid in hurricane relief. All soon-to-be graduates of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Davis Mena, Andrew DaBella, and Alex East devoted a whole day to drive from Lafayette, LA, in a rented moving truck filled with unused furniture to donate to S.O.F.A., a charity in New Orleans, LA.

The donation included two couches, tables, four wooden chairs, two fabric chairs, a dresser, and a king-sized bed, all in the single trailer. It was a lot of hard work to fit all the items in the truck but surely well worth the noble cause.

S.O.F.A stands for Service, Outreach, Furniture, Acadiana. S.O.F.A is a non-profit organization the Louisiana Omicron chapter works with year around to provide furniture to families who have been affected by fires, floods, tornados, and hurricanes. Recently, Lake Charles was severely hit by Hurricane Laura, and many families' homes were destroyed. This effort was our way of stepping up and doing something to help the victims of Hurricane Laura.

The three-hour drive wasn’t just about the furniture. Three brothers who’ve come from entirely different walks of life took this time to grow together by helping families in need. They humbled themselves and took part in something bigger than themselves. While having a great time together, these brothers lived the meaning of “Give; expecting nothing thereof...".