7/21/2019 Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Day of Service Silicon Valley

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For more information, contact:

 Jacqueline Vo, ChairmanPi Beta Phi Fraternity Day of Service

Signature Event, Silicon Valley 2015-16Direct: (408) 930–3326

 Jacqueline_Vo@yahoo.com FDSSiliconValley@gmail.com 

Illiteracy is no laughing matter 

 According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, one in four children in our country growsup functionally illiterate. Nationally, we spend $2 billion every year on students repeating a gradebecause of reading problems.

Here in the Silicon Valley, 42% of third graders are not reading at grade level; this static rises to ashocking 60% of Latino, African-American and Pacific Islander students. Without support, childrenin the Silicon Valley will become adults with low literacy skills facing barriers to their full potential. As a longtime resident of the Silicon Valley, I am committed to improving this outlook for Silicon Valley's children and our future.

Studies show direct access to books is part of the solution. The more children are exposed toreading opportunities, the greater their interest in reading and their overall desire to learn. OurFraternity of more than 200,000 women is united in the cause to promote the importance ofreading. It is our goal to impact one million lives through our philanthropic platform, Read > Lead

> Achieve®

; #ReadLeadAchieve.

 As part of this plan, we are hosting a large-scale literacy service event in the Silicon Valley for PiBeta Phi’s annual Fraternity Day of Service, celebrated around March 2 in honor of Dr. Seuss’® birthday. On Saturday, February 27, 2016 Pi Phi will donate 20,000 brand new books to Silicon Valley groups serving low-income families. The event is held at Macy's Sunnyvale, 200 W. Washington Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. This book distribution is possible through Pi Phi’spartnership with First Book ®. For more details about the event, visit http://puppy-kisses.com/fds/.

I believe reading is one of the most important causes I can support. Literacy is at the foundation ofmany issues we face in the United States, including poverty and unemployment. There are limited

employment opportunities for illiterate children and adults, making the cycle of poverty nearlyimpossible to escape. This is why I, along with Pi Beta Phi, believe learning to read and havingaccess to books is so important.

Students are five times more likely to graduate if they have supportive adult relationships. Iencourage those of you who can to help us get new books into the hands of children in need. HelpPi Phi instill a love of reading in Silicon Valley’s youth. Help us build for the future: one child … onemoment at a time … one life changed forever. We can — and we must — do better for the children of theSilicon Valley. Volunteer opportunities are also available via http://goo.gl/forms/QDJWYHwDI2. 

1154 TOWN AND COUNTRY COMMONS DRIVE

 TOWN AND COUNTRY, MISSOURI 63017

(636) 256–0680

7/21/2019 Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Day of Service Silicon Valley

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Pi Beta Phi is helping put books into the hands of these deserving children in partnership with FirstBook ®, a nonprofit providing new books to its national network of schools and programs. Over thepast several years, Pi Beta Phi has donated $1 million to literacy causes and given one million booksto children in need. Now, the goal is to impact one million lives through its philanthropy Read >Lead > Achieve® by the time Pi Beta Phi celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2017.

“Our Fraternity of more than 200,000 women is united in the cause to promote the importance ofreading,” said Pi Beta Phi President Paula Shepherd. “According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, one in four children grows up functionally illiterate, and we believe that is one toomany. Pi Beta Phi is thrilled to participate in this book distribution because we believe readingtransforms individuals, creates leaders and is the foundation of all that we can achieve in life.”

 About Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women: Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, PiBeta Phi has installed 200 collegiate chapters and more than 300 alumnae organizations worldwide.Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadershippotential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. The Fraternity believes in thepower of reading and through its philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve, promotes a lifelong love of

reading that can unlock true potential. For additional information, visit www.pibetaphi.org  or followPi Phi on Twitter and Facebook . #ReadLeadAchieve

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