A Fun Center is a mobile, all-in-one Nintendo WiiTM game system, television, and DVD player that brings games and movies to pediatric patients' bedsides. Fun Centers come pre-loaded with 23 video games! They can last 7-10 years and can provide more than 12 hours of entertainment each day.
Whether hospitalized children are nervously awaiting surgery, sitting restlessly during a long treatment, or feeling lonely in their hospital room, Fun Centers help them cope by providing endless hours of fun and distraction.
Below is a note shared with us from a Nurse and Child Life Specialist:
Dear Starlight,
We are thrilled with the Fun Center! Our patients see it and are immediately entranced. This morning, a six year old patient who has had problems with breathing treatments allowed the respiratory therapist to complete his treatment while he was playing on your Fun Center. He truly did not notice the therapist or breathing mask! Thank you so much for your generosity and for all of the time and effort put into making this happen for the patients…your ongoing support has made a genuine difference.
Sincerely,
Cindy, Nurse Manager
Cathy, Child Life Coordinator
Sponsor a Fun Center
To date, more than 7,000 Fun Centers have been sponsored by companies, foundations and individuals and are being enjoyed at hospitals across North America. More than 30 hospitals are still on our waitlist - to find out where your gift could make the most difference, see our MidAtlantic Hospital Fun Center Wait List (pdf)
You may also view the full North American Hospital Fun Center Wait List (pdf)
Fun Center sponsorship currently costs $5,000, which includes the cost of the unit, shipping and administration, and repair and maintenance for the life of the Fun Center. Sponsors are identified by a customized adhesive sign permanently affixed to the Fun Center, showcasing their generosity for years to come.
Visit our Donate Now page to learn more, or make a secure online donation today.
Add My Hospital to the Fun Center Wait List!
If you work at a hospital or medical facility in the MidAtlantic region (MD, DC, VA, PA, DE, WV) that would like to be considered for a Starlight Fun Center, we can help you add your institution to the Fun Center wait list. Please complete the following easy process for consideration:
1) Complete a universal waiver. The waiver needs to be signed by each participating hospital only one time. After one waiver is signed and received, your hospital will not need to fill out a new waiver for subsequent Fun Centers.
2) Complete a wait list request form. If your hospital already has a universal waiver on file and would like to make a change to the wait-list status, please submit a new wait list request form.
3) Send completed waivers and request forms to Starlight MidAtlantic by fax (Attn: Rebecca Aune; fax 202.293.9060), email (rebecca@starlight-midatlantic.org) or mail (Attn: Rebecca Aune, Starlight Children's Foundation MidAtlantic, 2020 K Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006).
Fun Center Repairs
For Fun Center repairs, please call Starlight Global Office's support line at 877.716.8550 or visit the Starlight Global FAQ page at www.starlight.org/fcsupport.
To learn more about this program, email your question to rebecca@starlight-midatlantic.org.