Two visits from actor Seth Rogen in two years sounds like a fraternity brother’s dream. But earning that reward has been serious business for Pi Kappa Alpha brothers as they’ve topped the national competition twice in an annual fundraising event sponsored by Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity foundation, which raises money to combat Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Pikes raised $27,000 in 2014. In 2015, joined in the effort by Alpha Chi Omega sorority, they topped it with $30,000. Now, for the third year, they’re on the leader board again with more than $7,000 raised as the 2016 competition begins. [April Update: the team won for a third straight year, raising more than $28,000 in 2016]

Why is Rogen rewarding college students for raising money for Alzheimer’s research and patient care? It’s personal for the comedian, who began the organization with his wife, actress Lauren Miller. Her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at just 55 years old.

It’s personal, too, for UVM fraternity brothers — and triplets — John, Ryan and Griffen Fox. They lost their grandfather to the disease two years ago. This is their way to help honor his memory and connect with others who have been affected by the disease.

“Everyone I’ve met has a personal connection,” senior economics major John Fox says. “As soon as I open up, someone feels more comfortable to open up, too.” Realizing you’re not alone can be so helpful for families facing such a difficult diagnosis, one with no cure.

And that’s the real prize he looks forward to, Fox says. Yes, getting to meet Seth Rogen is great, but even better, he says, is raising more than $60,000 in two years to fight Alzheimer’s.

“Winning,” he says, “is helping to find an end to the disease — that’s the message we’re trying to share.”

Donate to their cause online: go.uvm.edu/uvmpike