Susan's Day of Service

Susan Bieber joined Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Chi at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in fall 2003. After graduating in 2007, she accepted a dance internship in New York City and then took a job opportunity in the hedge fund industry. Susan was always willing to help anyone with her positive attitude and welcoming smile. She was friendly, outgoing, and never met a stranger.

Susan served on Phi Beta Chi’s National Executive Council as the Philanthropy Director for three years and was a shining example of sisterhood and selflessness. As Philanthropy Director, Susan worked with Bethesda Lutheran Communities and researched new philanthropy opportunities for our sisters. She heard requests from collegiate counterparts for more opportunities to serve and was a part of the development of the YMCA becoming Phi Beta Chi’s second national philanthropy. She also took her generosity to Ethiopia when she dedicated her first two weeks of vacation after college graduation to travel on a mission trip to work with children in orphanages.

In May 2011, Susan had an unexpected accident and passed away at the age of 25. Phi Beta Chi established Susan’s Day of Service as a way to honor our sister who was always dedicated to making a difference. By combining Susan’s birthday with the anniversary of her activation into Phi Beta Chi, we chose November 13 as our annual Susan’s Day of Service.

On November 13, Phi Beta Chi members and alumni perform random acts of kindness across the country as a symbol of our unity and to continue to serve our surrounding communities with joy. Anyone can participate in Susan Bieber’s Day of Service - active members, alumni, and friends - by volunteering at a local organization, paying it forward in the coffee line, leaving an inspirational note for someone, or any other little actions that spread kindness and brighten someone's day. Our hope is that sisters everywhere take time throughout the day to help others and have fun while remembering Susan.

Here a few ideas to participate in this year’s Day of Service:

• Pay it forward at a coffee shop or fast food lane

• Volunteer at a soup kitchen

• Pass out baked goods

• Make a donation to the Rose of Sharon Education Foundation to the Susan Bieber Scholarship Fund (assisting chapters or individuals in areas related to Susan’s passions, including mission trips, charity work, or performing)

• Host a can drive to donate to a local organization or food shelf

• Leave inspirational notes with a gift card or cash on random cars in parking lots

Be sure to take photos of you or your chapter/colony participating in Susan's Day of Service! Post them to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #BXSDOS.

Have more ideas to share? Contact the National Board of Directors at publicrelations@phibetachi.org.