Pi Phi Pizookie

Imagine your two favorite guilty pleasure foods mixing together and creating one delicious dessert. Stop imagining because a pizza cookie is real; it’s called a Pizookie. On Tuesday March 6, Pi Beta Phi hosted its second annual Pizookies with Pi Phi benefiting the chapter’s philanthropy, Read> Lead> Achieve.

       Friends and family gathered at the Pi Phi house to indulge in their very own oversized, warm cookie with sweet vanilla ice cream on top for the small price of $5.  Abby Ann Williams, Pi Phi’s Vice President of Philanthropy, was thrilled with the outcome.  Around 800 people lined up at the doors and Pi Phi raised over $3,900 for its philanthropy.

 For 100 years, Pi Beta Phi’s Read>Lead>Achieve philanthropy has raised awareness and given back to the community in the field of children’s education and literacy. The sorority’s overall vision is to lead the way to a more literate society. 

“Our philanthropy is important because it is useful and unique. We target children's literacy at the prime age of intervention, before testing is necessary for the students. We provide useful and applicable ways to teach literacy that follows National Curriculum. And we see that children's literacy isn't just about teaching children to read and find a passion for it, but bringing ultimate life change. We are about the development of children as a whole by targeting a key part of their learning and we are so thankful to be a part of it,” Abby Ann Williams said.

            Pi Phi Pizookie is just one of the many ways Arkansas Alpha Pi Beta Phi supports children’s literacy. In the fall semester, Pi Phi hosts its annual 5k during University of Arkansas parent’s weekend. Thousands of people sign up to run 3.1 miles through campus in support of raising awareness and money for children’s literacy.   Members also participate in Champions are Readers, a month-long enrichment program for elementary students that encourages children to develop daily reading habits. Another way Pi Phi gives back to children in the NWA community is by participating in Miracle League, a program in which members spend a Saturday morning playing baseball with children who have mental and/or physical disabilities. “Pi Phi’s philanthropy is my favorite part about being in this sorority. Children are our future and Pi Phi recognizes how important they are. There is nothing like sparking a child’s interest in reading or playing ball with them on a Saturday morning,” Alex Miller, Junior Pi Phi said.