New Partnerships with Mattel, Chelsea Piers, and More to Amplify the Power of Play Throughout June
This week, we announced our 2026 Summer Solstice Campaign featuring the organization’s first-ever National Play-A-Thon. Held throughout June and culminating on the Summer Solstice, the campaign will mobilize Project Sunshine’s nationwide network of volunteers, hospital partners, corporate partners and community supporters to bring joy and connection to pediatric patients across the country.
This year’s campaign marks a major expansion powered by new partnerships with Mattel, Chelsea Piers, and other sponsors that will be announced in the weeks leading up to the June campaign. These partners will help elevate the Play-A-Thon nationally by hosting events, engaging their communities, and raising critical funds for Project Sunshine’s pediatric programming.
About the Play-A-Thon
Dr. Gerald M. Loughlin, former Chair of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and Project Sunshine Board Member, emphasizes that play supports mental health and helps children process stressful or traumatic experiences. The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends that physicians “prescribe” play as part of standard pediatric care. “Play is fundamental to healthy childhood development,” said Dr. Loughlin. “It supports children’s emotional well-being, resilience, and social growth—especially when they are facing medical challenges. My hope is that programs like Project Sunshine’s can one day be incorporated into every medical facility serving pediatric patients. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to get out there and play—doctor’s orders!”
Project Sunshine is taking doctor’s orders to heart by rallying individuals, families, gamers, players, and companies nationwide to sign up, form teams, and play their hearts out—all to support children and families receiving care in over 500 medical facilities across the country. This year’s Play-A-Thon highlights just how powerful and easy play can be through Play Prescriptions, a joyful twist where children and teens step into the role of Giggle Practitioners prescribing toys, games, and activities to adults who may have forgotten how to have fun. These play remedies will be shared across social media, turning the idea of play-as-medicine into meaningful, shareable moments with purpose. It’s also a chance for individuals, schools, teams, and families to rally their networks, raise necessary funds to fuel programs that bring comfort, connection, and the healing power of play to pediatric patients and their families during some of their toughest moments.
Partnerships
Mattel’s Play it Forward programming will highlight the Play-A-Thon at its El Segundo Flagship store, with branded merchandise, to help promote the importance of play. “For more than 80 years, Mattel has inspired generations by championing the joy and impact of play,” said Meg Moloney, CEO of Project Sunshine. “Their partnership will inspire families to join us in creating meaningful play experiences for children facing medical challenges.”
“At Mattel, we believe play isn’t just fun—it’s essential,” said Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Philanthropy and Global Corporate Events, Mattel. “Through our Play It Forward mission, we’re proud to partner with Project Sunshine to help deliver joy, comfort, and connection to children facing medical challenges. We’re especially excited to bring the power of play to the Summer Solstice—the longest day of play—creating even more moments of joy for children and families when it matters most.”
Chelsea Piers Foundation will co-host a Play-A-Thon at the Chelsea Piers Field House in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn on June 20, offering families and supporters hands-on opportunities to play, while raising funds and awareness.
“For more than 30 years, Chelsea Piers has been a trusted destination for safe, healthy, and joy-filled experiences for New York families. Over that same period, Project Sunshine has harnessed the transformative power of play to support pediatric patients facing medical challenges—both here in New York City and around the world,” said Alex McKhann, Executive Director, Chelsea Piers Foundation. “We share a deep belief in the physical, mental, and social-emotional benefits of play, and we are proud to partner with Project Sunshine on this June’s Play-A-Thon to help ensure that every child has access to these vital resources.”
Additional partnership announcements will be made throughout the campaign. Organizations interested in becoming a Play-A-Thon partner are encouraged to contact Project Sunshine at [partnership email].
Individuals and organizations can support the Play-A-Thon by:
- Post your Play. Spread the word on why play is so important. Tag @projectsunshine and use the #playforprojectsunshine to raise awareness.
- Play and FUNdraise. Ask friends and family to support your PLAY. Register Here.
- Rally Your People to Play. Invite your community to set up a game, class or tournament for the cause. Play is best when shared.
About Project Sunshine
Founded in 1998, Project Sunshine delivers the healing power of play to children with medical needs through a global network of trained volunteers, corporate partners, and hospital collaborators. With programs including Here to Play (in-person sessions), Kits for Play (activity kits), and TelePlay (live virtual play sessions), Project Sunshine reaches more than 250,000 pediatric patients and families annually across 500 medical facilities worldwide. Learn more at ProjectSunshine.org.
About Chelsea Piers
Chelsea Piers spans three multi-sport facilities and five luxury fitness clubs across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Connecticut. For over 30 years, we’ve been an iconic part of New York’s sports and fitness landscape — shaping generations of athletes, families, and teams. Across every location, our ethos is consistent: to share sport and play with the surrounding community. We bring together exceptional coaches, purpose-built spaces, and programming that support athletes and active individuals at every stage of life. Our offerings span youth sport classes, competitive leagues for kids and adults, and accessible recreational experiences — from courts and rinks to our outdoor driving range overlooking the Hudson River in Manhattan. Learn more at chelseapiers.com
About Chelsea Piers Foundation
Chelsea Piers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families in the tri-state area by providing access to sports programs and healthy life experiences. The Foundation provides children the opportunity to pursue their passion for sports, regardless of their family’s financial means. Through scholarships and community partnerships, Chelsea Piers Foundation helps children develop important skills such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, and introduces young people to an active and healthy lifestyle. In 2025, the Chelsea Piers Foundation distributed over $1 million to local families and non-profits to fulfill this mission.
For more information and to register to PLAY, visit projectsunshine.org/summersolstice
