Volunteers, pie throwers needed for SASi benefit

SANDPOINT — Is it Pi Day or Pie Day? 

For the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., this year it's both. 

Pi Day is celebrated each year on March 14, as pi is rounded out to 3.14. This year, SASi will celebrate by throwing pie in the faces of local volunteers to raise money for the center's programs.

"Pi Day has always been a favorite holiday for me," said Ellen Weissman, SASi executive director.

Weissman, along with Bonner County commissioners Dan McDonald and Glen Bailey, are the first to agree to take a pie to the face. Jennifer Van Etten with Auburn Crest Hospice has also volunteered. Weissman said she is still waiting to hear back from a few people, such as Commissioner Jeff Connolly and Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad. 

The idea "came out of the blue," she said, as the topic of the "impending holiday" came up at lunch last Thursday, Weissman said. A SASi participant, Jamie Eidson, suggested a pie throwing contest. So they began recruiting community volunteers to take a pie to the face.

"I'm trying to find unique ways to fundraise and keep awareness up," Weissman said.

The event will raise money for all of the senior center's vital programs, including the DayBreak Center, which is "invaluable" for families of those dealing with memory challenges, Weissman said. Some of the other programs the funds will help out with include help with snow shoveling for seniors, as well as the home delivered meals program.

"(The event) will also be a chance for folks who haven't come in yet to get a tour if they want, and meet some of the over 90-year-olds who were featured in the calendar," Weissman said.

Although it is the first year SASi has held the pie in the face event, they typically serve pie on Pi Day during lunch, and this year will be no different. Weissman said Panhandler Pies donated last year.

Pies to be thrown will consist of whipped cream on paper plates, and will cost $10 for a small and $20 for a large.

Volunteers will be covered and pie throwers will be required to stand a couple feet away, so they will not be able to squish it into someone's face, Weissman said.

The event will begin at 11 a.m., March 14, at SASi, 820 Main St.

More volunteers are needed to take a pie to the face, and RSVP is required for those who would like to throw pie. To volunteer or RSVP call SASi at 208-263-6860.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.