Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation is honored to have received a $38,400 Connecting Joy Grant from the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. This grant provides endless entertainment for our patients with three Fully Loaded Electronics (FLE) mobile gaming carts, a PlayStation5, and Xbox Series S, 15 adaptive Nintendo Switches, an interactive mobile floor cube, four ceiling projectors, two Apple iPads, a Snoezelen Deluxe Mini Cart, and various other state-of-the-art gaming accessories.

Gaming equipment plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process and helps patients remain emotionally stable. Gaming provides them with an opportunity to escape from their sometimes overwhelming rehabilitation journey and just be children again. It also offers a healthy outlet for stress and an opportunity to bond with their peers.

Robin Weintraub, Recreational Therapy/Child Life Assistant at CSH New Brunswick stated, "Games are a huge part of our recreation/child life programming and having the latest in gaming technology helps us to create an inviting environment in our rec room for patients and families. From the newest video game consoles to the interactive projector to the sensory cart, we now have something for everyone to enjoy regardless of cognitive or physical abilities. It has been amazing to see patients of all ages come out of their rooms, increase their opportunities for socialization, and have fun playing with our new gaming equipment."

The new equipment offers an inclusive environment for all patients by providing adaptive equipment, like the adaptive Nintendo Switches, which allow patients to have easier movement solutions than a standard game controller provides. Moreover, gaming equipment is now available for patients who are too medically fragile to leave their bed, allowing games to be provided bedside.

"Here at Fully Loaded Electronics, we're proud to supply gaming systems that provide entertainment and distraction when kids need it most. Kids need to play, even in the hospital," said Rachelle Lee, VP of Operations, FLE. "Playing an Xbox, Nintendo or PlayStation while at the hospital provides normalcy for kids who may have their whole life disrupted. Trying over and over to beat a level builds tenacity and resilience. Winning a game empowers them when they may otherwise feel helpless or scared. Most importantly, gaming gives kids a way to interact and have fun with family, siblings, and even staff, creating a bond and trust between kiddos and the hospital staff who care for them. Video game carts are so much more than video games."

The gaming program also provides new opportunities for recreational therapy sessions utilizing play, recreation, and leisure activities to improve kids' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities. Gaming helps therapists to identify, improve and enhance functional abilities and independence. Additionally, it assists in community integration by placing patients in situations that challenge the skills acquired during their rehab stay and applies them in a practical community setting, preparing them for their discharge home.

About the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin' and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children's hospitals and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $30 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.