Phi Sigma Pi 'Easy as Pi' 5k run, walk raises $600
Brian ManzulloThe brisk weekend weather didn't stop about 30 runners from participating in Phi Sigma Pi's "Easy as Pi 5k Run/Walk" on Saturday at Island Park.
The fraternity donated an estimated $600 to Teach For America through a silent auction and registration fees for runners.
The fundraising run, held last year on campus, was moved to Island Park for its paved course, said Pi run sponsor chair and Battlecreek senior Beth LaForce. The event began at 11 a.m. Saturday and is in its second year.
"We really had to plan it from the ground up," LaForce said. "Any improvement is a success to me."
Teach For America is the honor fraternity's national philanthropy.
"It's an organization that is dedicated to eradicating educational inequality," Phi Sigma Pi member and Howell senior Rob Hatfield said. "This is a way to do our part to further education and to promote our name around campus."
Brighton senior and Pi run race day chair Susan Young said the chapter didn't spend a lot of the budget for the event itself so that more funds could be donated.
"This was a great start and foundation to build on," she said.
The race ran into a slight delay when an early train passed through during the event, causing timekeepers to pause and resume one runner's race time.
Awards were given to the fastest men's and women's times.
"This was awesome," said Saginaw senior Gina Heinzelmann, who finished first in the women's run. "It was a great course. I'd come back and run it again."
Heinzelmann finished the 5k in 22 minutes and 32 seconds.
Senior Sean Tilley was the winner of the men's run with a time of 19 minutes and 31 seconds.
Ceresco senior and Phi Sigma Pi member Lia Koski said the fraternity could not have done it without the support of sponsors and participants.
"It was a beautiful day," Koski said. "I think we had a good turn out."
Phi Sigma Pi member and Ortonville senior Tiffany Wood helped conduct the silent auction to Teach For America.
"It's a good time," Wood said of the event. "I'm really impressed."
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