By Nick Salzwedel Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – The sisters of Pi Beta Phi at the UW–Green Bay are proving that something as simple as frozen yogurt can help make a big difference.
Earlier this year, the sorority partnered with Smart Cow Yogurt Bar to host a “fro-yo to go” fundraiser that the company offers, selling cups of frozen yogurt to students on campus and raising nearly $900 in support of Read>Lead>Achieve.
Read>Lead>Achieve is Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropic effort, dedicated to instilling a love of reading in children and providing books to those in need to create a more literate and productive society.
“Before my time in Pi Beta Phi, our community relations team reached out to Smart Cow to see if they were interested in collaborating,” said Chapter President Maddy Hartmann. “That partnership has built for many years, and they have always been willing to help us organize the fundraiser and support our organization.”
The collaboration with Smart Cow was a natural fit.
Known locally for regularly donating proceeds to local schools, Smart Cow’s mission aligns closely with that of Read>Lead>Achieve.
Since the effort’s launch in 2011, Pi Beta Phi has donated more than $4.5 million to literary causes and provided over one million books to children in need.
“All the money our chapter raises from fundraising goes towards Read>Lead>Achieve,” Hartmann said. “We’ve been able to award grants to elementary schools in the Green Bay area so they can buy books for their students and continue their lifelong love of reading.”
With chapters across the United States and Canada, Pi Beta Phi is part of a massive network of members with the mission to “promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential, and enrich lives through community service.”
UW-Green Bay Fraternity and Sorority Life Program Coordinater Wyatt Young said “I think it’s great we have these kinds of organizations for students to join.
They give their members structure and a common cause to rally behind. This helps guide the students in accomplishing some good while making connections that make our community a more welcoming and positive place.”
Community volunteer and civic engagement are both priorities for UW-Green Bay, but it is especially important to Greek life on campus as all of the fraternities and sororities on campus engage in volunteer and service work.
The chapter has also scheduled a fundraiser in partnership with Chipotle on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5-9 p.m., at its E. Mason Street location.
Source: Sweet success: Pi Beta Phi fundraisers support young readers