Stern And Project Pinball Donate Pinball Machine To Childrens Hospital

OAK LAWN, IL -- Advocate Children's Hospital patients here will receive a big surprise today: a brand new Iron Man flipper game donated by Stern Pinball Inc. and Project Pinball Charity Group Inc. The pinball machine is dedicated to Zach Dacy, a young Chicagoan who courageously beat cancer.

"There are thousands of children undergoing intensive medical treatment in children's hospitals across the country," said Daniel Spolar, founder and senior director of Project Pinball. "We want to help ease their pain and speed their recovery by giving them a reason to get out of bed, to socialize and to have to fun by playing an iconic American pastime."

Based in Bonita Springs, FL, the Project Pinball Charity Group is a nonprofit that has been placing pinball machines in children's hospitals since 2001.

The charity's pinball machine gift is signed by Stern Pinball employees, including Iron Man designer John Borg, and will be placed in the hospital for patients to enjoy. The game manufacturer's staff is joining Project Pinball and members of the Dacy family at today's pinball machine dedication. Borg, marketing and licensing director Jody Dankberg, and chairman and chief executive Gary Stern will be among them.

"We are thankful to be teaming up with Project Pinball and Advocate Children's Hospital to share our love for pinball with patients like Zach who have faced these challenges," said Gary Stern. "Our goal is to provide patients with a fun, entertaining getaways, and to put smiles on their faces."

Lisa Boland, child life manager of Advocate Children's Hospital, added: "We're incredibly grateful to both Project Pinball and Stern Pinball for donating this machine to our hospital. This will be an entertaining diversion for our pediatric patients and help them concentrate on something other than tests, treatments and procedures."

Advocate Children's Hospital is the largest network provider of pediatric services in Illinois and among the top 10 in the nation. The two main campuses are located in the Chicago metropolitan region: Oak Lawn in the southwest and Park Ridge in the northwest; additional services are accessible at other Advocate hospitals throughout the state. The hospital serves as a major referral center for infants and children. Visit advocatechildrenshospital.com.