UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 22, Page 5
March 4, 1993
Fraternity's annual charity event attracts 1,100 runners

     Last weekend, the brothers of Phi Kappa Tau hosted the 11th annual 5K
for Bruce, raising some $6,000 for a Christiana High School student who is
a quadriplegic after a swimming accident.
     According to Michael Meliniotis, a junior computer science major and
race chairperson, the fundraiser has continued to increase in popularity
and is considered the largest road race in the state.
     He said the weekend race attracted more than 1,100 runners from as far
away as Florida and New York. There was live coverage of the event by
WSTW-FM radio, and a large number of spectators cheered the runners along
the race course through Newark. Perhaps the most special spectators were
two who benefited from the race: Joe Clough, this year's honoree, and
Charlie Sileo, last year's recipient.
     Clough, a sophomore at Christiana High School, is the 1993 recipient
of the 11th Annual 5K for Bruce proceeds. In August 1991, Clough hit his
neck on the edge of a swimming pool and is now a quadriplegic. The funds
raised will be used to buy a "tilt table" for Clough, which is necessary
for exercise and daily movement.
     "This year's race was a successful event," Meliniotis said."It went
smoothly, the runners were pleased with the course and the ceremonies, and
Joe and his family were happy."
     The annual event first occurred in February 1981, said Meliniotis,
when several fraternity brothers heard about a local high school athlete,
Bruce Peisino, who had been paralyzed as a result of an injury suffered
during a football game. The brothers decided to hold a race to raise money
for the Peisino family, to help defray medical costs.
     According to Meliniotis, that initial year resulted in a profit of
about $400. Since then, Phi Kappa Tau has continued to conduct the event
and has kept the original name, although after the third year they began
selecting a new recipient. Gradually, the race has grown in popularity with
runners, sponsors and community members.
     Along with increased interest, the annual run also has become quite
profitable. According to Meliniotis, last year's race was the largest with
about 1,200 participants, and, after all expenses were paid-plus accounting
for donations from sponsors-the profit totaled about $8,300.
     That money was used to buy an Apple IIGS computer for last year's
recipient, Charlie Sileo, who has cerebral palsy. The specialized equipment
allows him to communicate as he has difficulty in speaking and writing.
     "Preparation for the annual run," said Meliniotis, "begins almost a
year in advance." He and the rest of his committee must arrange for
permits, police assistance and purchase food, insurance, advertising,
trophies, rental equipment, T-shirts and some of the prizes.
     Local businesses and corporate sponsors help cover a portion of the
costs. Some of this year's sponsors were MBNA, Herr Foods Inc., Dairy
Queen, the Stone Balloon, Newark Stationers and Marathon Sports. The prizes
included Gore-Tex running suits, gift certificates and a random drawing for
two Continental Airlines round-trip tickets.
     As the race approaches, activity increases for Meliniotis and the
brothers of Phi Tau. "It turns into a full time job once Winter Session
hits," Meliniotis said.
     Selecting the needy recipient, one of the most important parts of the
annual puzzle, occurs each June when the race chairperson contacts a social
worker at the A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital. The social worker is
informed that Phi Kappa Tau wishes to help the family of a teenager who has
been injured in a sporting event and who would benefit from the financial
assistance. The next step is to interview the potential recipient and talk
with members of the family.
     Meliniotis said another key reason for the success of the race is the
cooperation and support of community members. Area residents who will be
affected are alerted to the event with flyers and a map of the course and
their response has always been positive. "I think people appreciate the
cause that the 5K for Bruce benefits," he said.
     "The 5K for Bruce gives us an opportunity to make a difference in
someone's life," said Meliniotis.
                                        -Torra Delano-Nuttall