Play. Connect. Heal.
Play. Connect. Heal.
Our Mission
To deliver the healing power of play to children with medical needs through trained and dedicated volunteers.
Our Work
For over 20 years, we've worked with medical facility and nonprofit partners to create a space for kids to socialize and play. Each year, over 3 million children are hospitalized in the United States. 30% of chronically ill kids face academic disruption, missing out on instruction and social interactions.
We reach
250,000
children and families through our programming.
We mobilize
18,000
volunteers to deliver our programs directly to children with medical needs.
We partner with
500
medical facilities and nonprofits in 175 cities across the United States, Canada, Israel, and Kenya.
Together, we can bring play to kids who need it most,
Why Play?
Play is one of the most effective methods of reducing stress in children, allowing their minds and bodies to heal.
Every child needs to play. Providing opportunities for children to play during their hospitalizations not only normalizes an unfamiliar, scary setting but also helps children build resiliency and socialize with peers undergoing similar circumstances.
*American Academy of Pediatrics
It’s a relief because your programs make her happy, which makes me happy.”
-Emilia's Nana
Get Involved
Contribute to our mission to deliver the healing power of play. Whether you dedicate your time as a volunteer, form a partnership as a medical facility or nonprofit, get your company involved through corporate volunteering, or support our work with a donation, there are countless ways for you to make a difference.
Volunteer Engagement
Project Sunshine recruits and trains volunteers – community members, college students, corporations, and youth – to deliver play to children with medical needs.
Program Partnerships
We partner with medical facilities and disease-specific nonprofits to meet the psychosocial and developmental needs of children through our programs.
Corporate Partnerships
We partner with companies of all sizes and industries nationwide. Through customizable opportunities for community service and team-building, our corporate volunteers take a break from their day-to-day responsibilities to make a difference in a child’s life.
Donate
Your donation can make a real difference in brightening the lives of children facing medical challenges. Every contribution helps us extend our reach and amplify the impact of our programs.
Project Sunshine Blog
Hear stories about the children we reach, the partnerships and volunteers that help us deliver our mission, and the latest news about our organization.
Stay in Touch
Join our mailing list
Stay informed about news, events, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more.