’19-’20 rpm grant recipients
The Robbie Page Memorial Fund is one way Tri Sigma chapters and members impact local children’s hospitals or health centers through Sigma Serves Children. Each year the Foundation awards local grants to therapeutic play programs nominated by an individual alumna, alumnae chapter or collegiate chapter. Grants range from $100 to $5,000. To nominate an organization, a chapter must work closely with the agency to develop their grant application.
Thanks to the generosity of Tri Sigmas and friends, the Foundation awarded 34 local grants for 2019-2020, totaling $129,992 in community support for children and families. This year’s RPM grants provide essential financial support within 20 different states. Additionally, grants were awarded to three organizations thanks to the partnership from individual alumnae – Lauren Pontiff, Gamma Pi; Jenny Watson, Beta Gamma; and Janell Weaver, Epsilon Eta.
Thank you to all the Sigma sisters who submitted an RPM grant application. The 2020-2021 grant application deadline is April 30, 2020. For questions, email foundation@trisigma.org.
2019-2020 RPM Grant Recipients
Akron Children’s Hospital
Funding for tactile, hearing, and visual sensory items for an inpatient unit
Nominated by Alpha Beta – Kent State University
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Funding for Nurture Smart Mobiles to provide music and sensory stimulation for infants
Nominated by Alpha Omicron – University of Central Arkansas
Baystate Health Foundation/Baystate Medical Center
Funding for Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soothers to ease the anxiety and Go Kart Kiosks for the Pediatric floor
Nominated by Gamma Iota – University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation
Funding for portable gaming systems to help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, mental processing, and critical thinking
Nominated by Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Funding for games to increase skill development, coordination and normalize the hospital experience
Nominated by Theta Eta – Old Dominion University
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Funding for vinyl bouncer covers and infant bouncers to provide soothing during hospital stays
Nominated by Zeta Pi – Virginia Wesleyan University
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Funds for play items for Activity Centers which provide normalization and diversion
Nominated by Alpha Pi – Clarion University
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
Funding for sensory items to support children through their procedures and tests and provide an alternate focal point to ease anxiety and increase coping
Nominated by Theta Zeta – Case Western Reserve University
Community PedsCare
Funding for technology resources to run the Unyte biofeedback software which helps patients learn to control their heart rate and reduce stress
Nominated by Jenny Watson
Cooper University Hospital
Funding for music therapy program to allow patients to make original recordings and items that allow children to more easily engage in the therapeutic activities
Nominated by Epsilon Epsilon – Stockton University
Franciscan Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
Funding for items to remodel the sensory rooms for patients to have a sensory-friendly space in which to play
Nominated by Epsilon Chi – Northeastern University
Geisinger Medical Center
Funding for tools and toys to help patients of all abilities cope with the preoperative, operative, and postoperative environments
Nominated by Janell Weaver
George Marks Children’s House
Funding for materials to document memories for the patients and their loved ones
Nominated by Epsilon Alpha – California State University East Bay
Hennepin Health Care
Funding for visual distraction items that can be used in the hydrotherapy rooms
Nominated by Zeta Eta – Winona State University
James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital
Funding for Xbox systems for the Pediatric Day Medical Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to provide children who are having extended chemotherapy infusions with diversion through play
Nominated by Gamma Xi – Barton College
Levine Children’s Hospital
Funding for materials to assist with end-of-life song recording and creation, and materials for behavioral health patients
Nominated by Delta Pi – Winthrop University
Maple Grove Hospital
Funding for a Touch2Play unit for children in the Emergency Department and play mats for each pediatric room in the Pediatric inpatient rooms
Nominated by Beta Pi – University of Wisconsin – Stout
Maricopa Integrated Health Systems/Maricopa Health Foundation
Funding for items for sensory relaxation, distractions, and education
Nominated by Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Marshfield Children’s Hospital
Funding for a variety of musical items and panels for the hospital’s “Backyard Patio”
Nominated by Gamma Lambda – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital
Funding for a variety of items to create opportunities in the newly expanded hospital for patients to engage in creative, expressive, messy, dramatic and medical play
Nominated by Zeta Chi – Coastal Carolina University
Metro Health/University of Michigan Health
Funding for iPads to be used as distraction during procedures and education for patients and families about upcoming procedures.
Nominated by West Michigan Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Gamma – Grand Valley State University
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Funding for a Touch2Play unit that will provide engagement and entertainment for children in the waiting area of the Pediatric Emergency Department
Nominated by Alpha Chi – Murray State University
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation
Funding for Nurture Smart Crib Mobiles to provide play therapy for infant patients receiving medical treatment and care
Nominated by Central Ohio Alumnae Interest Group
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital
Funding for items to ensure the tiniest patients unique needs are being met for their growth and development
Nominated by Gamma Mu – Southeastern Louisiana University
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital
Funding for Child Life Department to support the growing needs of patients due to the recent hospital expansion with a total of 4 playrooms
Nominated by Lauren Pontiff
Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate
Funding for a variety of toys and games to engage children’s senses and help them cope with lengthy procedures
Nominated by Epsilon Pi – Presbyterian University
Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation
Funding for scrapbook tools and sensory toys to assist with self-soothing and imaginative play
Nominated by the Seattle Alumnae Chapter
St. Francis Children’s Hospital
Funding for items to provide normalization for extended stays and distraction from the stress of the hospital
Nominated by Alpha Iota – Northeastern State University
St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Clinic
Funding for two virtual systems that will allow the program to offer a diversion from diagnosis and help children cope with the diagnosis
Nominated by Epsilon Omicron – Illinois State University
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation
Funding for a bereavement cart, inkless hand and footprint kits, and other various tools to assist with the bereavement program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Nominated by the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter
University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital
Funding for Magic Leap One goggles for the play space to facilitate play interventions and distractions
Nominated by Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter
University of Virginia Children’s Hospital
Funding for baby dolls for medical play to normalize the medical equipment and supplies for bereavement photography
Nominated by Delta Chi – University of Virginia
Winchester Medical Center
Funding for therapeutic and sensory toys to help children see past their illness and feel like a “normal child” during their stay
Nominate by Beta Delta – Shepherd University
Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Funding for items to revamp the teen room
Nominated by the Northeast Florida Alumnae Chapter