Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation supports NorthShore

For the past ten 10 years, members of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation and the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter have been passionate supporters of the Child Life Services Department at NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) Evanston Hospital. Alumnae members from the local chapter and collegiate members from Illinois State University toured the Pediatric and Adolescent Unit’s activity room at NorthShore Evanston Hospital to see firsthand the impact their gifts will have on patients.

Knowing that hospitalization can be scary for young patients, the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter focuses its philanthropic efforts on making the hospital stay a more positive and familiar experience for children.

“Based on our observations of our pediatric patients, demand for the room, and new research about welcoming environments, we identified the need to expand our play and sensory activities,” said Beth Lucas, MS, Coordinator of Child Life Services. “I can’t thank the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation enough for the generous grant to help NorthShore’s young patients and their families.”

The grant was used to provide the playroom with a new nature-inspired mural by local artist Ken Markiewicz of Crayons Gone Wild, as well as a train table and railway set, an art easel, a therapeutic sensory table, and a play kitchen. These items provide comfort and help children continue their development while they are hospitalized.

“We’re so glad to be able to help support NorthShore Evanston Hospital’s remarkable work with pediatric patients,” said Jill Schmidt, Philanthropy Vice President of the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma. “It was a delight to see our gifts in action. We also made and donated 20 colorful fleece blankets to help keep patients warm during the winter months.”

About NorthShore University HealthSystem

NorthShore University HealthSystem is an integrated healthcare delivery system consistently ranked as a Top 15 Teaching Hospital in the U.S. The NorthShore system, headquartered in Evanston, IL, includes four hospitals – Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore also includes a 900 physician multispecialty group practice, NorthShore Medical Group, located in over 100 locations in the Chicagoland area. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the first in Illinois to receive this prestigious honor as an entire system that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. The system also supports the NorthShore Research Institute; the NorthShore Foundation; and the NorthShore Home & Hospice Services. In addition to launching Be Well Lake County, a community health initiative committed to providing greater access to comprehensive care, NorthShore contributes more than $210 million in charitable care and services to the communities it serves.

About Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation

Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the 100,000-member Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority (Tri Sigma) and supports programs consistent with Tri Sigma values. The Foundation raises funds to provide leadership training for women, graduate and undergraduate scholarships to members, and grants that support March of Dimes and life-enhancing therapeutic play/child life programs at hospitals around the country. Since 1954, therapeutic play has been the focus of Sigma Sigma Sigma’s philanthropic outreach. Therapeutic play helps seriously ill children understand and cope with their illnesses and the treatments they must undergo.

Through the Robbie Page Memorial Fund, the Foundation makes grants each year to agencies serving children in the communities where Tri Sigma chapters are located. In addition, the Foundation provides a matching grant program to match funds raised by alumnae and collegiate chapters, benefiting therapeutic play. The Foundation also funds national fellowships and two facilities. Over the years, Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to help children. For more information, visit trisigmafoundation.org.