THE FREEDOM TO PLAY PINBALL
Do you remember your first exposure to a pinball machine and the excitement it brought you? Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you weren’t able to play pinball?
There are some wonderful people coming to the Expo who have dedicated their lives to helping children who are hospitalized with medical issues. They are the charity known as Project Pinball. Daniel Spolar and his staff have placed many pinball machines in Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses across the country to provide a spark of enjoyment during what can be a traumatic stay in a Hospital for kids.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the physical capability to reach the flipper buttons on a pinball machine. So what can be done to help those who are physically limited to enjoy this wonderful experience we take for granted? The Project Pinball team is working with several companies to develop game controllers that will give everyone “the freedom to play pinball.” The controllers are specifically designed to allow people with disabilities to play pinball and be included in pinball events and tournaments. Those who are in a wheel chair or have other problems working the flippers will be able to use a newly developed controllers to play pinball by using the remote flipper buttons on the new controller.
This year the Project Pinball booth will have 10 or more pins from several different manufacturers set up for you to play with the new inclusive and accessible controllers. Come and try them out and provide your feedback on how they work!
They will also be hosting an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Inclusive Pinball Tournament named “Freedom to Play” that will feature the ADA Enhanced Game Controllers. Join in on the tournament and experience these controllers first hand! It’s absolutely free and there will be some neat prizes to win by just entering the tournament. Top finishers will receive plaques and more cool prizes! The link to the event page for the Tournament is: https://facebook.com/events/s/freedom-to-play-pinball-tourna/1440906456753482/?mibextid=RQdjqZ.
This year the Project Pinball booth will also feature a Space Jam themed pinball machine that was designed and developed for actor Christopher Reeve who was paralyzed from the shoulders down after suffering a fall from a horse. This special pinball machine was made so he could enjoy a game of pinball during his stays at the hospital.
WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT PROJECT PINBALL
- Project pinball will once again be holding a live auction at the EXPO from Thursday October 19th through Saturday October 21st at 4:00 PM. You can check out the items available at the Project Pinball booth and bid on some amazing items with the proceeds going to the charity.
- You can buy raffle tickets for a Williams Comet pinball machine that will be awarded during the Expo.
- Daily during the Expo you can compete for the high score on Flipper Football at the Project Pinball booth.
- For the first time this year you can participate in a 50/50 drawing with a payout of $5000 when the fund reaches $10,000.
- Also, there are ongoing raffles for your choice of Stern Pro and Premium pinball machines. For more information on Project Pinball and how you can help, go to their website at https://projectpinball.org/.
- And, of course, you can make a donation directly to the Project Pinball Charity to support any or a specific Hospital fund raising project.
Please support our friends at Project Pinball and all of the children who benefit from this great charity!
