Local Aumnae Club Secures 500 Books for Children in Stamford

The Pi Beta Phi Southern Fairfield County Alumnae Club (SFAC) applied for the Fraternity Day of Service 500 Grant (FDS500) to secure 500 free books for local organization Inspirica, whose mission is committed to "address[ing] both the physical aspect of homelessness and its underlying root causes on a single, powerful end-to-end platform" (InspiricaCT.org). The organization was notified by Pi Beta Phi that they were one of 100 recipients.

Vice President of Philanthropy for the SFCAC, Emily Derr 34, has previously volunteered through Inspirica's Young Professional Group along with other members of the club, serving meals to clients of the organization and participating in fundraising activities. The opportunity that Pi Beta Phi headquarters in Town and Country, Missouri offered through FirstBook was a grant that the SFCAC wanted to apply for.

Derr explains, "Previously we had secured an FDS500 grant for DOMUS, another organization in Stamford who serves at-risk children through "creating the conditions necessary for them to get on a path toward health and opportunity so they can succeed in school and ultimately lead satisfying and productive lives" (Domuskids.org). Two years ago, we had obtained an FDS500 grant in 2016 to build the library of the Inspirica Early Childhood Education Program, which is a recent addition to the variety of supportive services the organization currently offers clients. Every child deserves to have book(s) of his/her own to embrace the love of reading early on."

In addition to the FDS500 Grant, Pi Phi SFCAC includes Inspirica Young Professional Events and participates the Holiday gift wrapping, recruiting volunteers from their active group of alumnae members.