Philanthropy Changed

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Our philanthropy has always been the same, but its focus has changed before.

The Robbie Page Memorial became our philanthropy after our past president's 10 year old son Robbie Page passed away from polio.

RPM supported polio research for a long time until the vaccine came about and polio was basically wiped out in the US.

After that, HQ started to rethink our philanthropy. They still wanted to honor Robbie and support children, but polio was no longer an issue.

In the mid 60's-70's, a new field related to children was developing. Many children (like Robbie was) were stuck in hospitals and were unable to go out and play with their friends. Therapists were starting recognize the value of play in these kid's lives. They were starting to advocate the study of play and how it benefits kids, as well as the building of "play therapy' wings in children's hospitals. Thus the field of play therapy was born.

Sigma saw how this related to Robbie (who was hospitalized repeatedly until he died) and how this new type of therapy was being recognized. So we kept the name Robbie Page Memorial, but switched the focus to support play therapy. RPM contributions now fund the construction of play therapy wings in childrens hospitals as well as supports the study of play therapy at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center.