This was the second annual Pi(e) Day in Sandoz Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The program originated to raise money for a local organization on March 14 or 3/14, the day established to celebrate the mathematical symbol for Pi.

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Pi(e) Day was organized by the resident assistants of Sandoz Hall and allowed residents to “throw” for $1 or “smash” for $3 a pie in the faces of willing participants. All proceeds of the event were donated to Make A Wish. The event was held on Wednesday, March 14 or 3/14 in the Abel/Sandoz Welcome Center that connects the two residence halls. The event began at 5 pm and lasted until around 8 pm. Altogether, $367 was raised for Make A Wish.

Residents had the opportunity to “pie” Abel/Sandoz Resident Assistants, Abel/Sandoz Residence Directors, desk staff, and government members. The Abel/Sandoz Facilities made a “pie board” with three holes for participants to place their head through. Participants were scheduled for a thirty minute time slot. Participants were announced to the residents throughout the night so that they could preplan who they wanted to “pie.” The pies were whipped cream and where provided by Abel/Sandoz Dining.

While the program was going on, a raffle was also being held. The resident assistants of Sandoz collected donations from local restaurants and businesses. For $1, residents could purchase a raffle ticket. At the end of the night, names were drawn an announced during the program. A raffle for Village Inn pies was also held and the donation was provided by a resident of Sandoz. Throughout the program, facts about the participants and Make A Wish were announced. Sam, a Sandoz RA and organizer of the program, told a story about the wish his sister and family received through the organization.

It took approximately 4-6 weeks to organize the program. This amount of time was necessary in order to collect the donations and to work with Abel/Sandoz Facilities and Dining. Facilities laid tarps throughout the Welcome Center and towels were provided for residents and participants to clean up after their time slot. The pie board was placed on a stage and a microphone was used for announcements. Abel/Sandoz Dining provided pie tins and the whipped cream. Volunteers helping at the event scooped the whipped cream into the pies as they were purchased. This prevented pies from being thrown prior to being purchased.

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Pi(e) Day had the following goals:

Raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.

Hold a program in the Welcome Center with participants from Abel and Sandoz in order to provide collaboration between the two buildings.

For the resident assistants of Sandoz to organize and host a community service program, and to donate the money to an organization a resident assistant has a connection with.

To educate residents on the Make A Wish Foundation and the impact it has on individuals and their families.

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Pi(e) Day had the following positive and lasting effects:

$367 was raised and donated to Make A Wish.

Residents were educated about the Foundation and the impact it has on individuals and their families.

Community was built throughout the hall as residents worked together to "pie" their RAs, hall government execs, and RD!

Resident assistants of Sandoz collaborated with Facilities and Dining and built a lasting relationship.

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The program was very successful as $367 was raised for Make A Wish.

Although clean up is never easy, the tarps and towels decreased the amount of whipped cream spread throughout the building. Next year, tarp will be hung behind the pie board in order to help prevent the spread of whip cream. The holes in the pie board were too high for some participants; therefore, next year, a something for participants to stand on will be provided.

The thirty minute time slots were enough time for residents to “pie” participants; however, in the future, names of participants and the times in which they are scheduled will be posted prior to the start of the program. This will allow residents to preplan who they will "pie".

Another idea, following the completion of the program this year, is to encourage floor participation the week prior to the start of the program. Government members and resident assistants will work together to raise money for their floor. The floor that raises the most money will be able to “pie” their resident assistant with a fruit pie.

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Pi(e) Day could be adapted at other campuses. The overall cost of the program would need to be taken into consideration. Sandoz Hall Facilities donated tarps for the floor, “booties” for individual’s shoes/feet, cleaning supplies, and they built the board with three holes for individual faces to be pied. Although the board may have initial cost the first year, it will not be a cost the following years. A resident of Sandoz works at Village Inn and was able to donate seven pies for the raffle. The program was funded by RHA and the Associate Director of Residence Life; therefore, all proceeds were able to be donated to Make A Wish without having to subtract the cost for supplies.

Another adaptation would be the organization in which to donate the money raised. The RA who organized the program had a connection with Make A Wish because his sister and family received a wish. Sam was able to talk about the organization and the impact the organization had on his family. Therefore, a suggestion would be to donate to an organization organizers or residents have a connection to.

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