Stories of Impact
September is Read > Lead > Achieve® Month and we’re celebrating our literacy impact by shining a light on some of our past Pi Beta Phi Literacy Grant recipients! Previously known as the FDS500 Grant program, these grants are awarded annually to local organizations nominated by Pi Phi chapters and alumnae clubs. The funds are used to purchase new books and school supplies from First Book®, which are then distributed to children in need. Keep reading to learn how several of our 2023 Grant recipients are making an impact in their local communities.
Bettina Schempf, Executive Director Old Mill Center for Children and Families
"Thanks to the Corvallis, Oregon, Alumnae Club, children ages 1-8 have benefitted from a generous donation via the FDS500 Grant that allowed Old Mill Center for Children and Families to purchase books for its classrooms, therapy offices and waiting rooms.
Books were also given to young readers with themed field trip opportunities. Inclusive book choices from First Book help to make young children feel a sense of belonging to their community.”
Gayle McDowell, Illinois Theta - Look It’s My Book
“Members of the Peoria, Illinois, Alumnae Club were excited to label almost 2,000 books that Look It’s My Book purchased with the FDS500 Grant they were awarded! Look It’s My Book volunteers visit primary schools in the Peoria area where students have their choice of a book to add to their at-home collection at least six times per year.
This is a monthly highlight for many students as the low-income rate exceeds 75% in the school district and the mobility rate is above 20%. The FDS500 Grant from Pi Beta Phi helps provide access to books with a wide selection for PreK-4th grade as well as options for Spanish-speaking and visually impaired children.”
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, access to bilingual books for English language learners can be difficult. Thanks to the FDS500 Grant from Pi Beta Phi, the Alabama Beta Chapter at the University of Alabama was able to support bilingual students and their families at the New Heights Community Center’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Family Literacy Night!
“The Alabama Beta Chapter gave New Heights $2,000 to use toward purchasing books and literacy-related school items for their organization, including bilingual social and emotional learning (SEL)-focused books for home libraries and SEL resources for families!
We also participated in New Heights’ inaugural “Back to School Bash” where our chapter provided new clothing items for students while also volunteering at the event!”
Angelena Aguilera, Principal at Mission Bell Elementary School
California Lambda Joanne Tyler nominated Mission Bell Elementary School in Jurupa Valley, California, for an FDS500 Grant to support their literacy efforts.
“Our school was chosen to receive a $2,000 grant to purchase books that represented our collective student body including our multilingual learners, students with disabilities and students who have experienced grief, trauma and so much more,” says school principal Angelena Aguilera. “We spoke to parents and asked what kind of literature they wanted us to provide and this is the dream we saw in action.”
“Thanks to Ms. Tyler and the Inland Empire, California, Alumnae Club, we stocked our book vending machine, hosted massive book giveaways for our students and showed young people how they are represented in the books they read.”
Mark Dooley, Librarian at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School
For the past two years, the San Jose, California, Alumnae Club has nominated Muwekma Ohlone Middle School, a Title 1 school where most families live in an economically deprived neighborhood and books are not readily available.
“Many families are transitionary and often books are left behind because they are bulky and heavy. We were able to use the grant to fill the need for multiple copies of books so students can take them home,” says Mark Dooley, Librarian at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School.
“The chapter has consistently supported literacy in our Title 1 school—they have contributed library volumes, books for students to own and most importantly, their time and talents to the students.”
Bettina Schempf, Executive Director Old Mill Center for Children and Families
Nominated by the Corvallis, Oregon, Alumnae Club
"Thanks to the Corvallis, Oregon, Alumnae Club, children ages 1-8 have benefitted from a generous donation via the FDS500 Grant that allowed Old Mill Center for Children and Families to purchase books for its classrooms, therapy offices and waiting rooms.Books were also given to young readers with themed field trip opportunities. Inclusive book choices from First Book help to make young children feel a sense of belonging to their community.”
Gayle McDowell, Illinois Theta - Look It’s My Book
Nominated by the Peoria, Illinois, Alumnae Club
“Members of the Peoria, Illinois, Alumnae Club were excited to label almost 2,000 books that Look It’s My Book purchased with the FDS500 Grant they were awarded! Look It’s My Book volunteers visit primary schools in the Peoria area where students have their choice of a book to add to their at-home collection at least six times per year.This is a monthly highlight for many students as the low-income rate exceeds 75% in the school district and the mobility rate is above 20%. The FDS500 Grant from Pi Beta Phi helps provide access to books with a wide selection for PreK-4th grade as well as options for Spanish-speaking and visually impaired children.”
Photo: From left, Illinois Theta Gayle Erwin McDowell, Ohio Eta Ramona Gibbs, Illinois Zeta Theresa Hutchison Denton, Illinois Theta Connie Macek Wilcosky, Ron Patterson, Illinois Zeta Colleen Shannon DiGiallonardo, Illinois Theta Beth Witry Sparrow and Illinois Theta Cheri Raber Patterson.
Alabama Beta Director of PR/Marketing Bella Martina - New Heights Community Resource Center
Nominated by the Alabama Beta Chapter
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, access to bilingual books for English language learners can be difficult. Thanks to the FDS500 Grant from Pi Beta Phi, the Alabama Beta Chapter at the University of Alabama was able to support bilingual students and their families at the New Heights Community Center’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Family Literacy Night!“The Alabama Beta Chapter gave New Heights $2,000 to use toward purchasing books and literacy-related school items for their organization, including bilingual social and emotional learning (SEL)-focused books for home libraries and SEL resources for families!
We also participated in New Heights’ inaugural “Back to School Bash” where our chapter provided new clothing items for students while also volunteering at the event!”
Angelena Aguilera, Principal at Mission Bell Elementary School
Nominated by the Inland Empire, California, Alumnae Club
California Lambda Joanne Tyler nominated Mission Bell Elementary School in Jurupa Valley, California, for an FDS500 Grant to support their literacy efforts.“Our school was chosen to receive a $2,000 grant to purchase books that represented our collective student body including our multilingual learners, students with disabilities and students who have experienced grief, trauma and so much more,” says school principal Angelena Aguilera. “We spoke to parents and asked what kind of literature they wanted us to provide and this is the dream we saw in action.”
“Thanks to Ms. Tyler and the Inland Empire, California, Alumnae Club, we stocked our book vending machine, hosted massive book giveaways for our students and showed young people how they are represented in the books they read.”
Photo: Joanne Tyler with the donated books.
Mark Dooley, Librarian at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School
Nominated by the San Jose, California, Alumnae Club
For the past two years, the San Jose, California, Alumnae Club has nominated Muwekma Ohlone Middle School, a Title 1 school where most families live in an economically deprived neighborhood and books are not readily available.“Many families are transitionary and often books are left behind because they are bulky and heavy. We were able to use the grant to fill the need for multiple copies of books so students can take them home,” says Mark Dooley, Librarian at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School.
“The chapter has consistently supported literacy in our Title 1 school—they have contributed library volumes, books for students to own and most importantly, their time and talents to the students.”
Photo: Members from the South Bay club prepping to help the students select their books.
Bring $2,000 worth of new books to children in your community by nominating an organization to receive a Pi Beta Phi Literacy Grant. The nomination process is open through October 31. All Read > Lead > Achieve initiatives, including the CAR program and literacy grants, are funded through generous gifts to The Literacy Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation.
Published September 9, 2024