To deliver the healing power of play to children with medical needs through passionate and dedicated volunteers.
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 patients 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.”
For over 20 years, Project Sunshine volunteers have brought joy and play directly to pediatric patients at our network of hospitals and medical facility partners across the country.
Programs for Children
Our programs brings patients and volunteers together in-hospitals through creative arts activities and other opportunities for social interaction and learning.
Project Sunshine recruits and trains volunteers – community members, college students, corporations, and youth – to deliver activities to pediatric patients.
We partner with medical facilities and disease specific nonprofits to meet the psychosocial and developmental needs of pediatric patients through our programs.
We work with healthcare staff 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
200,000
patients and familiesthrough our programming.
WE MOBILIZE
16,000
volunteersdirectly to pediatric patients to deliver our programming.
WE PARTNER WITH
480
medical facilitiesin 175 cities across the United States, Kenya, and Israel.
Our Corporate Volunteers give back to Project Sunshine's mission
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.
