On a picture-perfect day, hundreds of sorority members gathered on University Yard for the annual Fireman’s Challenge hosted by the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE).
Saturday’s field day, which included a slip-n-slide, relay races and a tug of war, was the culmination of the fraternity’s weeklong fundraiser in which 10 sororities compete in a variety of events—and help Pi Kappa Alpha earn money for the D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation.
The fraternity raised $60,000 in this year’s challenge, far surpassing last year’s total of $37,000, said Soham Gupte, Fireman’s Challenge chief. Over the past four years, the challenges have raised more than $150,000 to help rehabilitate injured firemen and burn survivors, he said.
“As Fireman's Challenge chief, I cannot be more proud of and thankful to my brothers, PIKE alumni, our parents and, of course, most importantly to the GW Panhellenic sororities,” he said. “This has been a phenomenal year, and I cannot wait for our chapter to do even better next year.”
Jake Miner, historiographer for Pi Kappa Alpha, said it’s been fulfilling to see the Fireman’s Challenge evolve over his four years at GW. “Raising over $150,000 for this amazing cause is an unparalleled accomplishment. Fireman's Challenge really epitomizes the power of young people striving to make a difference, and I am proud to have been a part of it.”
The week’s activities also included a skit night, a pizza party, tours of Washington Hospital Center’s burn unit and a volleyball tournament.