By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Spring break is supposed to be a time to left off a little steam and head to warmer weather. But members of one local fraternity will be heading the opposite direction, to Traverse City, with the sole purpose of walking 160 miles back to GVSU’s Allendale campus.
For the past seven years, Grand Valley State University’s Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Kappa Lambda Chapter has hosted the Walk Hard event, where 20 of its fraternity members walk 160 miles from Traverse City to Allendale during their spring break — this year March 1 – 8 — to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. The kick off event happens to night at 9 p.m. at the GVSU Allendale campus.
To follow the group’s progress visit ATOWalksHard.com or visit the Facebook page “ATO Walks Hard: Many Steps for MS.”
“When I was rushing [an opportunity for interested persons to talk to potential fraternities or sororities], the walk was something that they told me about. I was like ‘what, you do this?’ It made me want to be part of Alpha Tau Omega even more. In fact, there were guys rushing for this fraternity just because they wanted to be part of the walk.”
The walk itself is not easy, with the students facing challenging weather conditions. Arrangements are made for the students to stay at local churches along the trail. The route they take is open road from Traverse City to about Cadillac where the group connects to the White Pine Trail, which brings them to about 16 miles away from GVSU. From that point, the students will follow open road again. There is a team of about five to six students who serve as support to those walking.
Through a challenge campaign with other GVSU clubs and organizations and the walk itself, Alpha Tau Omega has raised more than $230,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The group is on track to raise about $24,000 this year.
“When I first did this, I was not really ready for the mental aspect of just keep going,” said Bertoia who marks his third walk this year. After walking for an extended period of time, many of the walkers begin to feel mild signs of Multiple Sclerosis such as fatigue, poor balance, and muscle cramps.
“After eight days, our bodies are broken down, tired and in pain,” Bertoia said. “I can’t imagine the strength it takes to live with this disease.”
Bertoia said the support of the churches and communities they visit helps encourage the group to continue along with knowing they are creating awareness about Multiple Sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than 2.3 million people have Multiple Sclerosis.
“The walk was started seven years ago by a couple of (fraternity) brothers because they had been impacted by MS,” Bertoia said, adding that many of the past and current fraternity members have a personal connection to MS, making Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Kappa Lambda Chapter united toward one this single cause.
“Yeah, so there is going to Panama City or doing something like that but in the end, I too have a spring break as well,” Bertoia said. “For me, it’s like having a big sleepover with some of my closet friends because we watch movies and hangout and talk.
“And in the end, we’ve come together over a unique experience that allows to understand what someone is going through.”
The group is scheduled to return to Allendale around 4 p.m. Friday, March 8. There will be a short program at the GVSU clock tower. People can follow the walk at ATOWalksHard.com or visit the Facebook page “ATO Walks Hard: Many Steps for MS.”
