DAYTON, Ohio– A local nonprofit is helping patients at Dayton Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton to find some joy and familiarity during difficult times.
Dayton 24/7 Now’s, Kysha Hancock was at the Ronald McDonald House on Valley Street and got to see how the power of play can bring hope and smiles to pediatric patients.
“This is another opportunity for us to share something wonderful with them and so anything we can do to provide the normalcy of being at home is a wonderful thing,” said Beth Groff, director of philanthropy at the RMHC DAYTON.
Along with being in a new facility, Groff said she’s excited to welcome the Starlight Gaming program to the families they serve daily. It’s a gaming system with 24 games available to help pediatric patients find comfort as they’re in the hospital.
Rich Jardiolin with the Starlight Children’s Foundation said it provides not only fun, but childhood development.
“Starlight Gaming helps provide those opportunities of decision making and problem-solving skills and also creates social connections,” said Jardiolin.
The Starlight Gaming program also comes with a handheld version. Families housed at the Ronald McDonald House can check the games out and safely take them back to their rooms for comfort.
“They’re made with wipeable material, so they meet all the health protocols for a hospital,” said Jardiolin.
The Starlight Children’s Foundation has donor funded programs at more than 800 hospitals nation-wide. The Berry Family Foundation, who’s at the center of this project told Hancock they’re looking forward to expanding even more.
“We’re fortunate enough to be able to award them a grant to help the, bring some of their gaming stations here to the Dayton community,” said Nora Vondrell, executive director of the Berry Family Foundation.
Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House said they’re grateful that the Berry Family Foundation sees how giving these patients some comfort each day, can change their lives.