Our machine will provide opportunities for children and their families to positively cope with the stress and pain of being hospitalized. Play has been proven to help children cope better with their hospital experience, as well as helping them to heal faster and we are so excited to welcome this pinball machine as a new tool to help accomplish this goal.
-April Slowenski
Pinball is an exceptionally interactive, fun, and sensory experience. Bringing a pinball machine into a children’s hospital exposes children and families to pinball, – some for the very first time – giving them the excitement of the opportunity to explore something that is more than likely a novelty to them. One thing that makes pinball at a children’s hospital very useful is the fact that pinball is a physical game, but a game a child can exert control over by simply pressing two buttons in a way that is not physically demanding. Pinball also offers a patient distraction from any potentially negative aspects of a hospital experience through pinball play. I support the work of Project Pinball because the organization takes the simplicity, excitement, and, most of all, fun of the game of pinball, and shares it with patients and families in children’s hospitals in order to give them positive and memorable experiences. In any hospital, they can enjoy the very unique experience of playing pinball as an engaging counterpoint to any negative experiences they might have to endure during their hospitalization and in their daily lives.
-Andrei Massenkoff
Hospitalization is just about the most abnormal developmental occurrence that can happen to a child. Any avenue that helps them feel more like a kid again or serves as a distraction from their hospital experience is beneficial. Parents will play the machine while their small child is in the playroom, school-age kids will stand on the stool and have their parent behind them teaching them how to play, and older teens have come to check it out with our volunteers. So, not only does it provide an escape – even if just momentarily – from the severity of the medical environment, but it also fosters bonding between parent and child when played together. From a child life specialist stand point, I might recommend a kiddo go check it out to help motivate them to ambulate or get out of the room for a change of environment. It is a good ploy for convincing our school-age children to check out the playroom and see that it is not just for little kids! Although we have only had the machine for a few short months, it is already a loved addition to our hospital! I know that I am excited to see more and more kiddos playing it and hopefully that means more and more smiles too!
-Jamie Whipple
Hello! I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for your donation to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. My son was discharged from there today after spending Christmas in the hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer (brain Tumor) in June. He had a virus this time landing him in the hospital over the holidays. He was so happy to see the pinball machine you donated in the child life center. He is 11 and it is hard to find things he likes there. So, he agreed to drink enough water and walk into the child life center so he could play the pinball machine. HE LOVES PINBALL. His favorite is the Spiderman one at the hockey rink, but he also liked this star trek one. He was able to go home after playing. His smile when he was playing is priceless. THANK YOU!
-E.H.
We faced challenges as a family during Zach’s many stays in the hospital. One of those challenges was getting him out of bed away from the video games, his tablet, and the confinement of his hospital room. With the help of Project Pinball, we’re know the Iron Man pinball machine will bring more children out of their beds and onto their feet to gather with their parents for a few mi. We hope it brings smiles. We hope it brings laughs. We hope it brings…hope!
-Joe Dacy
As a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, finding fun activities that resonate with each member of the family is central to Camp Sunshine’s mission. Before our machine arrived, we had a feeling that it would be a hit with parents right off the bat, but we were pleasantly surprised by how many younger children and teenagers immediately gravitated to it as well! It’s safe to say that our machine has been a wonderful addition to our campus. We are grateful for the work that Project Pinball is doing, and we are very thankful for their support!
-Kayley Walker - https://www.campsunshine.org/
Being a patient in a hospital is a stressful experience for everyone, particularly for a child. It is my hope that having a pinball machine to play will let a sick child get his or her mind off of hospital life for a while and focus on having some fun.
-Michael Daddona
After the first few minutes of learning about Project Pinball I was “sold” and could not wait for our hospital to receive one. I doubt very many of our patients have experienced the lights, sounds, and speed of a pinball game in this video gaming world. It will be fun for all ages and genders and we won’t have to worry about scratched disks or batteries for controllers. We are so excited for this unique and different way our patients can cope with hospitalization.
-Lisa Barron
I just wanted to say THANK YOU PROJECT PINBALL! My daughter was in the hospital having her second round of chemotherapy. We were last here about a month ago, and since then there has been a wonderful surprise placed in the game room. This has been the highlight of her time here at the hospital since we’ve been back. So much so that I just wanted to show you our appreciation. What an awesome organization you are! Thank you! On behalf of Kylee and all of the other patients treated at St. Mary’s Palm Beach Children’s Hospital.
-Jesi A.
Learning about Project Pinball and the positive impacts it has on patients and families was appealing. As we provide extraordinary care to our patients and families, we strive to offer additional ways to make their stay more pleasant and comforting. Project Pinball’s mission is very much aligned with our patient-centered culture. Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is looking forward to the arrival of the Shrek pinball machine and the smiles and fun it will bring to our patients and families.
-John Williams
We are so blessed to work with Project Pinball. They are a fantastic charity organization that keeps kids at the heart of everything they do. Being in a hospital is difficult for children. In addition to recovering from an illness, injury, or surgical procedure, they are away from their toys and games and all that is familiar. To provide a shiny new pinball machine that will offer entertainment and recreation while they recover is something that all of us here at Baptist are so excited about! The donation will be located in our Teen Room donated by the Jr. League of Beaumont several years ago. The Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation relies upon the donors for support of needs great and small. We so appreciate Daniel Spolar, Project Pinball and their donors for supporting the Sacred Work of Baptist Hospital.
-Kim Moncla
I have been engrossed in the pinball community for 7 years now and I can say without a doubt it has changed me forever. Growing up in Springfield, OH I never really ran into any pinball machines out in the wild before. It wasn’t until I moved to Florida and was going to college that I ever played a real pinball machine. After my first game on Theatre of Magic, I was hooked, to say the least.
After volunteering for Project Pinball, I was quickly hired onto the Team. At first, I was the Media Relations Specialist, then the Media Director, and now I oversee the whole operation as the Director of Operations. I am blessed to have such a rewarding career. To see the children and their families receive the gift of Pinball and be able to utilize the machines for their therapeutic benefit is huge for recovery and rehabilitation. Not to mention, the amount of stress relief that pinball provides is truly incredible.
After assisting in over 50 pinball machine dedications, I can say how inspiring these children and their families are. Pinball is truly therapeutic and empowering for each individual who comes in contact with it.
My favorite pinball machines are Circus Voltaire, Godzilla, and The Addams Family, because you can’t have just one favorite.
Hi there! My name is Taj Kniceley (she/her/hers) and I am the Marketing and communications Specialist/Grant Writer for Project Pinball Charity. I grew up in Springfield, OH, and I now live in Western Michigan on a soon-to-be farm with my partner Tyler! My biggest (unkept) secret is that I am absolutely in love with my two cats Laela and Rosie.
In 2021, I joined the Team when I heard they were searching for a writer. Language is incredibly powerful and I knew I could help elevate the mission by providing a new perspective. What I love most about my role is that I not only have the opportunity to serve patients and families but that I am also able to deepen community relations. Project Pinball Charity is truly a grassroots charity, and strengthening connections is necessary when it comes to a community’s health and longevity.
My favorite pinball machine, as well as Broadway show, is The Phantom of the Opera. A close second is The Addams Family, although my favorite Morticia Addams is Carolyn Jones - the OG. If Pennywise ever makes it onto a pinball machine, though, then it’s game over for the other two!
As far as I can remember, I’ve been a pinball machine enthusiast. Growing up in the 1970’s & 1980’s, pinball machines were everywhere. I bought my first pinball machine at age 12 with paper route money and the neighborhood kids lined up to play. Today I’m living my childhood dream - fortunate enough to own a collection of 25 machines; most of them from the 70’s & 80’s.
I host Orange County NY Pinball Club events and host my own tournaments called The Catskill Classic. I enjoy competing in pinball tournaments, always meeting interesting people, and making new friends. Some of my best friends I’ve met through pinball.
I met Daniel Spolar at The Southern Pinball Festival near Orlando Florida in 2011. At the time, Daniel was seeking support from the local pinball community, in raising funds and technical assistance to rehabilitate a pinball machine that was donated to a Children’s Hospital for the kids to enjoy, but it wasn’t being maintained - thus defeating its intended purpose. Daniel was so passionate about the need to fix this pinball machine for the kids and keep it regularly maintained, that it was an extremely easy cause for me to support. I was impressed by Daniel’s desire to involve the pinball community, rather than fixing the problem on his own. As time went by, I became very good friends with Daniel, and as Project Pinball Charity has grown, I’ve continued my support by helping to spread awareness about its mission.
I’ve organized and promoted fundraising events, worked the booth at pinball conventions, attended several pinball machine dedications at Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, prepared donated machines for fundraising, and I’ve talked about Project Pinball Charity in the local media. It’s a wonderful cause that provides so many benefits to countless individuals and families, it’s been easy for me to encourage others to help support our mission. I’m always thankful and humbled by the generous support we receive. I hope to continue my association with Project Pinball Charity for many years to come!!
My favorite pinball machines are Gottlieb 300, Stern Stars, The Addams Family, and Iron Maiden.
It was more than 20 years ago when I picked up three System 11 machines and 'found' the pinball community. The friendships that I've developed are invaluable. I learned fairly early on that the hobby is as much about the people as the machines, if not more so.
It was in 2019 that I had a 5-hour breakfast with Daniel. It was during that time I realized I wanted to do what I could to help Project Pinball. I had the idea of a silent auction at Pinball Expo and worked to organize it. The feedback was great and we've had one each year since. I was invited to attend a local dedication and it was transformative. As soon as the machine was ready, children immediately came to check it out. One child played with his rolling IV stand at his side which was incredible to witness. I was asked if I'd be interested in helping the charity as the Technician Coordinator.
I came to Project Pinball to do something that would have a positive and tangible impact on the lives of others. I would like to assist in the expansion of the charity and branding while working to do whatever is necessary to support operations. I would love to see 100+ machines placed all over the world! I know we have supporters in the UK who would be happy to be Volunteer Technicians supporting machines, let's see if we can make it happen. It can't be put into words the impact the machines have on the children and their families. I am excited to have the charity continue to have a positive and lasting impact on so many lives.
My favorite pinball machine is Transporter the Rescue.
Daniel Spolar originally from Pittsburgh, once lived in Bonita Springs, and now resides in Fort Myers with his adorable miniature pinscher, Maggie.
He is a pinball enthusiast with a collection of well over 30 pinball machines, as well as an avid road cyclist.
He enjoys traveling the country and placing pinball machines for the pure joy that they bring to others around him.
He is usually outdoors doing all kinds of adventurous activities, including hang gliding.
He will never back down from a challenge and is always working to better others' lives. Daniel does not have a favorite pinball machine because there are too many to choose from!