Stern Pinball, the world’s leading manufacturer of pinball machines, has partnered with Project Pinball, a non-profit organization that places pinball machines in children’s hospitals, to donate a special pinball machine to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

The pinball machine, a Jurassic Park-themed model, is equipped with a custom-made ADA controller that allows children with disabilities to play the game using buttons on the side of the cabinet. The controller was designed and built by Ryan Policky, a pinball enthusiast and engineer who wanted to make pinball more accessible for everyone.

The donation ceremony took place on November 6, 2023, at the Panda Cares Center of Hope, a dedicated space within the hospital that provides a variety of services and amenities for inpatients and their families. The center features a library, a computer lab, a meditation room, a play area, and now, a pinball machine.

“We were truly delighted and deeply honored to join Project Pinball for the commemoration of the first Stern Pinball machine equipped with a special ADA controller to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago,” said Gary Stern, CEO of Stern Pinball. “We hope that this pinball machine will bring joy and excitement to the children and their families who visit the Panda Cares Center of Hope.”

Project Pinball is a charity that aims to improve the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing them with the opportunity to play pinball. The organization has donated over 60 pinball machines to hospitals across the United States since 2011.

“Our mission is to share the love of pinball with children who are facing difficult challenges,” said Daniel Spolar, founder and senior director of Project Pinball. “We are grateful to Stern Pinball and Ryan Policky for their generous support and collaboration in making this ADA-accessible pinball machine possible. We believe that pinball is a powerful tool for healing, learning, and socializing, and we are thrilled to see the smiles on the faces of the children who play it.”

Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, offering world-class care for children with complex medical conditions. The hospital serves more than 220,000 patients annually and is affiliated with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“We are very thankful to Stern Pinball and Project Pinball for this wonderful gift,” said Dr. Tom Shanley, president and CEO of Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. “The pinball machine is a great addition to our Panda Cares Center of Hope, which is designed to provide a holistic approach to the well-being of our patients and their families. We appreciate the generosity and kindness of our donors and partners who help us create a healing environment for our children.”