Guest blogger Stacy Conway is the marketing and communications manager for the Pi Beta Phi Foundation.
Even before my daughter was born, I read to her. I remember propping up myself in bed, resting a book on my big belly and reading out loud to the little girl inside. And I haven’t stopped reading to her. Now eleven months old, she loves books. Oftentimes she’ll crawl over to me, hold up a book and look at me imploringly with her big blue eyes. Then I scoop her up, put her on my lap and read out loud to the little girl by my side.
Books have always been a part of my daughter’s life. I assumed it was the same for every child. Then I met Elaine Powers. Elaine was guest speaker at Pi Beta Phi’s Leadership Academy, a three day conference for members. Pi Phi has made a commitment to combat illiteracy, and has partnered with First Book to make this happen. Elaine is Executive Director of Lemay Child and Family Center, a First Book recipient group. Through grants from First Book, Lemay Child and Family Center is instilling a love of reading in young children.
Elaine shared a story about a little girl at the Center. She and her sister, like many of the children at the Center receive financial scholarships so they may attend. Their mother mainly raised the girls, but sometimes their father would show up at the end of the day to take them home. Whenever Dad did pick them up, he’d tell the girls to immediately collect their things so they could leave. He didn’t stop to talk with the teachers, or inquire about his daughters’ progress. He didn’t make small talk with the other parents, or ask the girls’ about their day. There was no interaction between him and his children.
Until one day, when he went to pick up his daughters, and found them in the midst of a pajama party. The Center had planned the event, encouraging the children to dress in their pajamas while they listened to “bedtime stories.” When the father walked in, his little girl ran to him, held up a book and asked if he would read to her.
And he did. He put down his things, sat on the floor and pulled his daughter close to him. And then he began to read.
As Elaine described that moment, watching a father connect with his child over the pages of a book, I thought about how one simple act could have such an incredible impact. Hearing Elaine’s words showed me the great work accomplished by First Book. And through our sponsorship, Pi Beta Phi Foundation and Fraternity are helping to make moments like the one Elaine described possible.
In honor of Leadership Academy, 25,000 books are being donated nationwide to children in need, including 300 to Lemay Child and Family Center, so even more lives can be changed over the pages of a book.
About Pi Beta Phi Foundation
In 1990, Pi Beta Phi formalized its philanthropic vision by creating Pi Beta Phi Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. From its inception, the Foundation’s aim has been clear: to empower Pi Beta Phi Fraternity with the funding needed to pursue its mission and purpose. Targeting education, leadership and philanthropy, the Foundation enriches lives and supports both Pi Phis and the community at large.
The Foundation funds a broad range of philanthropic efforts benefiting both the Fraternity and the community, including scholarships, emergency relief grants, leadership development programs and literacy initiatives. As it celebrates 20 years since its founding, the Foundation continues to provide opportunities for members to grow in the spirit of sisterhood and friendship.