For kids, April 13 marked a day away from school with their families to enjoy inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games with prizes, face painting and free food.
Around 50 people were in attendance despite the windy weather, bringing their kids out into the sunshine of Robinson Quad. Phi Sigma Sigma hosted the event to raise money for their charity, “The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation for School and College Readiness” where their money went towards the children’s education.
Community Impact Chairman for Phi Sigma Sigma Allison Leslie organized the event with help from the Student Activity Fund Allocation Committee.
“Our goal is to just have kids come out and have fun,” Leslie said. “We just want to give kids the opportunity to come out, have a fun day for free, kind of be a stress reliever and get to know our philanthropy a little bit more. We have a large focus on helping kids in need and making sure they have resources and can get a good education. This is just a way for them to come and have a fun day.”
As kids attended the event, the Phi Sigma Sigma sisters also brought some of their families over for the games and free food to take advantage of the warm weather and to provide more information about their sorority’s charity goal on campus.
President of Phi Sigma Sigma Carrington DeShone believed the event also benefitted the parents who got to take the day off work to spend more time with their kids.
“I think it’s cool for them to be able to come to the school and do stuff and then also I think it helps the parents,” DeShone said. “Our partner school is Riverview Elementary right in town so I know that a lot of them probably come from right here in town just because we work with them.”
By partnering with schools inside the Big Rapids area, Phi Sigma Sigma will use the proceeds donated to their charity to buy much-needed school supplies and obtain resources for the children’s educational needs.
Forensic science and chemistry professor Mary Bacon is the faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Sigma. She states that the charity focuses on school and college readiness.
“Anything we can do to help promote education and learn by having fun too,” Bacon said. “Some of the girls are in elementary education, and some of them have worked at elementary schools as part of their schoolwork. Families are always looking for something to do. So this gives the people an opportunity to get out and come to campus. Some families don’t always come to campus because of their lives and work.”
Big Rapids community member Andrea Renas was excited about this day for the kids.
“It’s good to have events like this for them because there’s not a lot of things for kids to do in the community,” Renas said.
For more information on Phi Sigma Sigma’s charity and more inquiries, visit their Instagram @phisig_ferris.
C.E. C.F.