Tri Sigma's second annual Run for Robbie was a huge success. On Sunday, November 8th, 260 people arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo bright and early to run a 5K or walk one mile around the premises.

The proceeds from the event, $12,679 in total, were donated to the Robbie Page Memorial Foundation -- Tri Sigma's national philanthropy. Robbie Page was the son of the fourth Tri Sigma national President. In 1951, at age 5, Robbie died of bulbar polio, a disease with no cure at the time. Tri Sigma established the Robbie Page Memorial Foundation as its official philanthropy in 1954.

The Foundation focuses on helping seriously ill children by funding therapeutic play, which helps hospitalized children to accept and understand their diseases and treatments. It also aids in decreasing anxiety and increases coping through support and education. Every year, the Foundation awards local grants to programs nominated by alumnae and collegiate chapters. The Foundation also funds major national fellowships at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and North Carolina Children's Hospital at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Run for Robbie was a fun way to raise awareness and money for the cause as well as bring the sisters of Tri Sigma together with their family and friends on a beautiful fall morning. The running and walking paths took participants through the zoo so they could see the animals, and each registration fee came with free admission to the zoo for the day following the race.

The sisters were so appreciative of the support they received from registrants and sponsors. They were able to share the experience with the entire SJU Greek community, the SJU Club Running team, and chapters of Tri Sigma from other schools in the Philadelphia area. The families, friends, and classmates of the sisters proudly ran and walked for an extremely worthy cause.

Jamie Gray and Tri Sigma Delta Psi sister Kasie Borque came in first place for the male and female categories. All 5K participants ran one loop inside the zoo, one loop outside the zoo, and then one loop back inside the zoo. The mile-long walking path inside the zoo allowed for more participation and more opportunity to spend time with family and friends who were in attendance.

The event was largely organized by the Tri Sigma Delta Psi President, Dani London, the Treasurer, Annie Ricciardi, and the Philanthropy Chair, Jessica Malone.

"I'm so proud of how well the 5K went, especially because it was only our second time doing it!" Ricciardi says. "It was so much fun, and knowing that we were able to raise over $12,600 for our philanthropy is an incredible feeling."

Tri Sigma hopes to make Run for Robbie 2016 an even bigger success, and they will continue to raise money for the Foundation until then. Stayed tuned for their spring philanthropy events!