Philanthropy
Giving back to society is something both Pi Beta Phi and Arizona Gamma hold in high regards. Our chapter places an emphasis on philanthropy and encourages members to do as much as they can for both our campus and community.
With this in mind we require each of our members to do ten philanthropy hours a semester, three of which should be literacy based. Yet, most of our members do not merely do ten hours, but often go above and beyond.
Locally, ladies of the Arizona Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi get involved in a wide array of different ways. Some of which include:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Volunteering at the hospital
- Helping with various political campaigns
- Walking dogs from the Humane Society
- Volunteering at the local Food Kitchen
- Reading to children
- Registering voters
Nationally, Pi Beta Phi has its hands in several programs that chapters participate in at the local level such as Speed Read, Read Across America, and Champions Are Readers. Other programs such as Arrowmont and Arrow In The Arctic chapters donate money to annually. Proceeds from our philanthropic events Arrowbowl and Run for Reading go to these programs.
Arrowmont
In 1912, Pi Phi’s founded a school in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and until 1969, Pi Phi’s taught the area's children. The school's facilities now serve the community as the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, a nationally renowned center of contemporary arts and crafts.
Arrow In The Arctic
Arrow in the Arctic is Pi Phi's Canadian philanthropy which provides support for the many branches of the library systems in Northern Canada, including the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Philanthropy funds are used to purchase "talking" books and videos in English and Inuit as well as reference books, tapes, and other audiovisual equipment
Champions Are Readers (CAR)
Champions Are Readers, or CAR, is a month long reading enrichment program for third graders. Students track progress over a reading race track, and at the end of the month receive a brand new book and a finishing medal.
First Book
In June 2007, Pi Beta Phi announced its corporate partnership with First Book, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Together, through innovative programs such as Speed Read, First Book and Pi Beta Phi are committed to brining new books to children in need across the United States and Canada. In fact, within the first year of the partnership, Pi Phi and first book donated 350,000 brand-new books.
Read Across America
Read Across America is a reading motivation and awareness program which takes place each year on or around March 2, which is Dr. Seuss's birthday. This National Day of Service is designed to encourage collegiate chapters and alumnae clubs to promote reading and literacy across the country.
Speed Read
Speed Read is done in conjunction with First Book and is a playful fundraising event with a tangible impact. For every $2.50 generated a brand new book is placed into the hands of a child in need. Speed readers are challenged to read as many words as the can out loud from a classic children’s book in 15 seconds. How does this work? Speed readers get friends to support their participation with a donation and then face off at an event, stepping up in turn in front of the crowd.