Bike to Boise, Delta Sigma Phi’s annual philanthropy event, began Thursday when fraternity members and alumni set off on their journey to the state capitol via tandem bike. Bike to Boise has been a fixture of the organization since the 1960s, and this year marks the fraternity’s 51st trip.
Donations were raised through PayPal in support of the event, and will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) — an organization that raises money to support research into neuromuscular diseases.
The trip spans about 300 miles over two days, and chapter members alternate between the tandem bike and a caravan of cars that follow close behind. Both current and former fraternity members participate.
“The first night we camp out and have a little brotherhood and hang out,” said Josh Journey, Delta Sigma’s philanthropy chair. “We reflect on how the year’s gone and how we’ve done on the philanthropy this year itself.”
Safety is always a concern, which is why Delta Sigma Phi takes precautions to keep bikers safe. Caravan drivers keep their hazard lights and headlights on for the entire trip, and the police departments of each town Bike to Boise passes through are notified in advance.
“All the police stations are fully supportive of what we do,” Journey said. “The only thing they ask is that we don’t ride through the canyons.”
There are usually about 30 to 35 people who go along for the ride. Once they get to Boise, fraternity members meet in front of the Capitol Building with representatives of the organization they have chosen as the recipient of that year’s donation, and present the check in full chapter dress.
Bike to Boise has benefitted several organizations in recent years. In 2010, Delta Sigma Phi raised more than $9,000 for Hope House, and last year the fraternity raised about $3,400 for the Redside Foundation — a nonprofit that supports commercial outdoor guides in Idaho.
Delta Sigma Phi chooses which organization to contribute the funds to in a variety of ways. For example, the Redside Foundation was chosen because of a Delta Sigma alumnus who worked as an outdoor guide. Bike to Boise raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for several years in the ‘90s, but helping them again this year was largely because of Journey’s own challenges with muscular dystrophy.
“Other chapters donate to whoever they feel like needs it the most and really want to help out,” Journey said. “My dad, grandpa and I have muscular dystrophy, and being the philanthropy chairman, a lot of brothers felt that donating to there and seeing how committed I was to MDA, and seeing that I have it, they felt that it was a good organization to donate to.”
Journey said local businesses and community members have shown a lot of support for the fundraiser. In the past, there has been a lot of positive feedback from donors and the organizations Bike to Boise has helped, and Journey said it goes a long way toward bringing people together.
“Bike to Boise is one of the best events at University of Idaho that the Greek system can do,” Journey said. “It brings everyone together and it really just shows how much commitment each person has that is involved with this.”
Daniel Durand can be reached at [email protected]