The sisters of Phi Sigma Sigma at Sacred Heart University invited all families and friends to their Princess for a Day (PFAD) event on Sunday, March 26.
The chapter philanthropy consists of School and College readiness to support and advance the needs of the local community schools through resources used in the classroom to set goals that they seek to achieve in the future.
Princess for a Day has been the signature philanthropy event of the Iota Nu chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma for more than 10 years. Each year the chapter members invite the community to bring their children to campus for an afternoon of fun. Sisters and members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity were dressed up as different Disney characters and superheroes this year.
“Princess for a Day is one of Phi Sig’s best traditions. This wonderful event welcomes children from neighboring communities to see some of their favorite television and movie idols without having to make the trek to Disney World,” said the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Nick Frias. “I love how the chapter has begun to invite fraternity members to join and build up the FSL camaraderie. I look forward to seeing how the chapter builds upon the event each year to improve it.”
All donations and proceeds go to the chapter’s philanthropy, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, supporting students who cannot afford proper school supplies. The event aims to raise money for the Kids in Need Foundation and the sorority’s foundation. Each Phi Sigma chapter is dedicated to a title I school in their college community, for the Iota Nu chapter works directly with John Winthrop in Bridgeport, Conn.
“The money raised towards the event will allow students in financial need to gain opportunities for their future through schooling. Our chapter will use the money we raise for PFAD to buy school supplies for the next school year for students at John Winthrop”, said Justine Ruvolo, Phi Sig’s Philanthropy chairman.
“In the fall, members of the Iota Nu chapter will come together and put on an event called “backpack stuffing,” where each member will stuff as many backpacks as possible with necessary school supplies. After we fill all the backpacks, several sisters will go to the elementary school and directly hand out the backpacks,” said Ruvolo. “This moment is cherished and impactful not only for the students but for us as a chapter seeing that we are making a change to so many lives right here in our college community.”
All Greek life chapters have contributed to the success of “adopting a classroom” that covered the admission fee cost for students in Bridgeport, allowing them to experience opportunities other children do without having to worry about financial struggles. Phi Sig held table times the week of the event and raised over $800.
Senior Abby Ganzel, a member of Phi Sigma, said, “Princess for a Day is my favorite time of year. My favorite part of the day is when we all decorate tiaras for all the princesses to wear, and my favorite room would have to be the dance party room. I’m looking forward to being a part of it again this year.”
“All of the sisters of the chapter work very hard to ensure that each child has a positive experience. The look on the children’s faces the first time they see their favorite princess or superhero is so precious. The parents enjoy seeing their children have a great time,” said Marcie Berson, Phi Sigma’s Chapter Advisor, “I’m so proud of the hard work they put into creating this fun event to raise money to support their partner school.”
Princess for a Day is geared towards young children who are starting to develop life skills through adaption in different environments, where everything is a learning experience, not just in the classroom.
