The women of Pi Beta Phi partnered with Sigma Nu to host a shaving cream pie fight for a good cause on Friday afternoon.

The two organizations annually co-sponsor Pie Wars, which is essentially a free-for-all where any- one who wants to purchase a pie has the opportunity to pie someone else in the face.

The proceeds support Pi Phi’s national philanthropy, Read Lead Achieve, which works to promote children’s literacy.

Emily Limmer, ‘18, is the vice president of philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi. She worked closely with Sigma Nu’s philanthropy chair, Adit Ahmed, ‘19, to plan the event.

“We’re a team,” Limmer said. “Both organizations want to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause.”

The two began the initial stages of planning about a month before school started. Limmer said that since she was also in charge of the event last year, this year’s event was not very difficult to organize.

Ahmed said the hardest part for him was trying to coordinate around full schedules.

“We’re students, and we’re busy trying to keep track of things,” Ahmed said. “It’s just a matter of putting it in the hands of the rest

of our brothers and sisters to make sure that we can put this event together. It’s more than just Emily and me; it’s making sure that both of our respective organizations are engaged and ready to be a part of it.”

Members of both organizations tabled throughout the week to allow people to pre-order pies for $3. Pies cost $5 at the event. At the conclusion of Pie Wars, Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Nu had raised nearly $1,000 for Read Lead Achieve.

Read Lead Achieve is a national organization set up through Pi Beta Phi, so that a large number of the leadership positions are actually held by sisters from different chapters across the country. Ahmed said for him, the neatest part was knowing that his fraternity was helping to support this cause.

“It’s being run in such a way that it’s more than just that ‘omniscient philanthropy master’ calling the shots; it’s run for sisters with them in mind,” Ahmed said. “We see Pi Phi put on events through- out the year that really help out this organization, so it’s good to know that [Sigma Nu] can contribute to that in some regard, as well.”

According to results from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy cited on Pi Beta Phi’s national website, one in four children grow up functionally illiterate. Limmer said she hoped that her chapter’s donations would help give children a more hopeful future.

“While most of us can’t imagine not be- ing able to read—not reading a magazine, book for school, or even a menu at a restaurant—there are many children who struggle because of this,” Limmer said. “The opportunities that reading brings are endless.”

Hannah Dewing, ‘19, a member of Pi Beta Phi, said that Pie Wars is one of her favorite philanthropic events.

“Honestly and truly, this is one of the most fun philanthropy events for one of the best causes,” Dewing said. “And who doesn’t want to pie someone in the face? It’s a great stress-reliever after a long week for a great cause.”