WASHINGTON, PA (May 2, 2017) – The Pi Beta Phi sorority is looking to change lives, one book at a time.
Members of the Washington and Jefferson College (W&J) chapter distributed 500 new books to the Literacy Council of Southwestern PA as part of Pi Beta Phi’s Fraternity Day of Service. The books will be donated to the Washington Hospital.
Gathering at the Pi Beta Phi sorority house, 10 members of the organization packed baby book bags with books and literacy information to be sent home with new mothers.
Every spring, the sorority invites its members to participate in a literacy project to benefit the community. For the past three years, the W&J chapter of Pi Beta Phi has received a grant from First Book through the Pi Beta Phi Foundation. The foundation selects approximately 10 sorority chapters from a pool of hundreds of applicants to distribute books to local non-profit organizations, according to Pi Beta Phi Philanthropy Chair Janay Cleaver ‘18.
Cleaver said she and the other members of the sorority are happy to do their part for local children.
“This is the second year I’ve (supervised) this event as the philanthropy chair, and every year we are able to make leave a mark on the community to promote literacy for children,” Cleaver said. “Washington County struggles a lot with illiteracy…and being able to make a difference for not only children, but giving their parents an opportunity to learn how to read as well, is the greatest achievement of them all.”
Kaitlyn Bamrick, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life, commends the philanthropy efforts of the organization.
“I think it is important that students in fraternities and sororities participate in service and service projects because they are able to give back to the community. It gives them the opportunity to experience situations that they may have not been exposed to, and it offers them a learning experience they cannot always get in the classroom,” Bamrick said.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
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