On Feb. 25, 2017, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women and the Northern Virginia Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi with the help of the Fairfax County Public Schools Family & School Partnership Early Literacy Program and The Arrow Foundation donated 20,000 new age-appropriate books to children, families, and recipient groups across the Metropolitan D.C. area.
The book distribution took place in honor of Pi Beta Phi’s Fraternity Day of Service, an annual event bringing Pi Phis together to serve their communities through literacy service. At the event, Pi Phis assisted recipient groups in selecting books and carrying the packages to their cars. They provided engaging activities for the children who attended including making personalized bookmarks, book plates and Dr. Seuss related crafts and photo booth. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department volunteered as “celebrity” storytellers with dozens of children huddled around listening to the officers read aloud.
This year’s event took place at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. More than 150 children and family members attended the community event portion of the celebration with each child selecting three books to take home. The remaining books were divided among 128 recipient groups for distribution to needy families, Title I schools, and libraries in affordable housing complexes, among other uses.