In 1999, Phi Mu became the first Greek-letter organization to introduce a National Philanthropy Day dedicated to active, hands-on philanthropic service. This plan, suggested by Gamma Epsilon alumna Cynthia Lowden, was endorsed unanimously by the National Council and the Phi Mu Foundation Board of Trustees in January 1999. On the third Monday in October, all collegiate and alumnae chapters were asked to undertake a service project in their area. Philanthropic activities included painting pumpkins with children at a medical center, donating toys, holding local food drives, delivering lion puppets to a local CMN hospital, and much more.