Needing to stay in the hospital can be scary and stressful for pediatric patients and their families. Project Sunshine aims to minimize those feelings by providing opportunities for play through volunteer-led programming that promotes creative expression, socialization, and learning. In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic closed hospitals to outside vendors and limited guests accompanying patients, creating isolation and limiting those crucial interactions.
To combat loneliness and boredom, Lenovo and Motorola Mobility staff partnered with Project Sunshine to create a custom activity book to share with patients. As a part of the Lenovo Foundation’s Global Month of Service, more than 30 volunteers contributed their time and talents to design the unique book with 50+ pages of puzzles, coloring sheets, and other activities focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The book aimed to help pediatric patients continue to learn and explore while receiving care.
The “Smarter Activity Book” was shared with 1,600 patients in 125 hospitals across the US and Canada. Caregivers shared that the activity book engaged kids in challenging ways, “made them think,” and provided a fun and educational resource for students who were unable to attend school.
Nurse Colleen Jones at the clinic utilizes Project Sunshine Activity Kits, and most recently, a Project Sunshine/Lenovo Activity Book to bring joy to the patients, including Mariah. “She really enjoyed the Project Sunshine Activity Book from Lenovo,” says Nurse Jones. “Resources like the Activity Book provide a way to bring a little joy to children, while occupying their time and keeping them focused on positivity.”
To learn more about Project Sunshine visit ProjectSunshine.org