As of September 30th, 2024, Project Pinball Charity has successfully dedicated 75 Pinball Machines to Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses across the United States!
Tag: #pinballistherapy
THE FREEDOM TO PLAY PINBALL
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!
Daily Herald- Pinball Expo is Bouncing Back to Chicago Area for the 38th Year!
NEWS ARTICLE ALERT!
Project Pinball Charity, along with Stern Pinball were mentioned in Chicago’s LARGEST daily newspaper, the Daily Herald!
Submitted by Rob Berk and his Team at Pinball Expo, the article was published yesterday, Oct. 13th.
Project Pinball’s partnership with Pinball Expo was highlighted, and we feel just as excited for the future of this AMAZING pinball event!
We are so incredibly thankful for all the support, shoutouts, & mentions from everyone in the community.
See you soon Pinball Expo!!
#projectpinball #forthekids #pinballexpo2022 #sternpinball #nonprofitforpinball #pinballforall #pinballforkids #fundraiser #nonprofit #nonprofitfundraising #therapeuticpinball #pinballistherapy
School Days Pinball Debut- Lockwood Elementary School
Special Needs Teacher at Lockwood Elementary School in Eaton Rapids, MI-
Ms. Gochenour has updated us with her student’s progress since the School Days pinball machine has been dedicated this year!
School Days is a rethemed Williams Ding Dong.
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“The students have been super excited about learning their scores. I’m finding that our number recognition is improving since we talk about scores in the thousands now.
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Overall, the pinball machine is an amazing addition to our classroom, as well as to Lockwood in general. We have staff that utilizes the machine almost daily. We have specific students that will ask for Pinball Play on a daily basis. The games have been easy to fit into our routine at school. To be honest, now that it is here, I can’t imagine life without it!
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Thanks again and please let the team know that we truly appreciate their generosity. The pinball machine is absolutely making a positive impact at Lockwood Elementary!”
#projectpinball #forthekids #pinballforkids #pinballforall #lockwoodelementaryschool #eatonrapidsmichigan #specialneedsclassroom #specialneedseducation #pinballforspecialneeds #pinball #schooldays #therapeuticpinball #supportprojectpinball #pinballistherapy
The PinMobile Received A New Engine!
The PinMobile Has Finally Received a New Engine!!
Today, we received amazing news from the mechanic! The PinMobile finally has its new engine in place! We are impatient to pick up the Escalade, however, a full check-up is to ensure it’s completely healthy before the Team hits the road again.
Now with the PinMobile regaining reliability, the Team can safely travel during the upcoming Spring 2022 Love Across America Tour!
This tour will consist of 6 Dedications in 5 States: Alabama, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas. The total distance traveled during the trip will be above 6,000 Miles!
The Dedication Dates for the Spring 2022 Love Across America Tour are as follows:
– June 6th: St. Petersburg, Florida
– June 8th: Birmingham, Alabama
– June 10th: San Antonio, Texas, #1
– June 10th: San Antonio, Texas, #2
– June 16th: Eaton Rapids, Michigan
– June 21st: New York, New York
We are hoping to pick up the PinMobile soon and we CAN’T WAIT to welcome it home with the Pinball Community.
Until then, visit the GoFundMe to read the kind words written during the campaign. Your words of encouragement were noted – Wish the PinMobile luck and Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
PinMobile Highlight!
Here is a PinMobile Highlight!
In the bitter cold of December 2020 in Alexandria VA, our charity team came across a pinhead that owned a Gottlieb EM Paradise (1965) machine. After touring the Northeast and dedicating 8 machines in 14 days, the PinMobile now only held our suitcases and supplies.
The owner, Theodore (Ted) Webne, cherished this machine, however, because of its age he was unable to provide proper care and maintenance. Ted knew that without help the machine would soon be idle. So he donated it to Project Pinball, and after repacking the Escalade in his driveway we had two guarantees: the machine will be restored and he is welcome to visit anytime to play! Presently, the machine is in working condition at HQ in Bonita Springs, FL, and we are hoping to host Ted and his family soon for a well-deserved game night. We are truly overwhelmed with emotion when recalling this encounter, and without the help of the charity’s Escalade, this restoration would not have been possible. And of course, many thanks to Ted!
Click below to help!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-save-the-project-pinball-mobile
A True Workhorse- The PinMobile
The PinMobile is known for its adventures!
Not only has it helped our team dedicate 57 pinball machines and counting, but it’s also traveled to 53 different hospitals in 25 states!
Over 200 machines have been reliably moved by the Escalade, successfully helping the charity focus on our mission at dedications, expos, raffles, and fundraising events. Every year for 2 months our team packs up and travels the nation for our Love Across America (LAA) Tour, where we dedicate pinball machines to children’s hospitals, RMHC, and assisted living facilities. We fill the trunk to the brim with machines, luggage, supplies, and of course our mascot, Maggie the minpin.
We cannot fully express how grateful we are to have such an immense vehicle at our disposal! The PinMobile is truly the foundation of Project Pinball Charity and without it, our nationwide mission would not be feasible.
Click below:
Help Us Save The Project Pinball Mobile!
Project Pinball’s Iconic Escalade
If you’re familiar with Project Pinball, then you know our iconic Escalade.
If you’re a newbie, then let’s meet the PinMobile!
When the charity began in 2011 we needed a vehicle large enough to transport pinball machines, so our founder generously donated his personal car. 11 years later and OVER 350,000 miles and here we have our trusty steed.
But even a hero calls in sick. Due to high mileage and working long shifts on the road, our precious Escalade is ill.
Losing oil pressure by the minute, we decided to contact a doctor for an engine transplant. Our team is currently at home base, but soon we are back on the road and can’t imagine our long trips without it!
Keep our beloved PinMobile in your thoughts as it wheels down the road of repair.
Click below to:
Help Us Save The Project Pinball Mobile!
The Turtles Are Home!
“I have lots of thanks to give to John Geiger of Arcade Super Awesome who helped me transport, unbox, and set up my new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pinball machine.
He was also the one who took the pictures.
I love the pin, it is so much fun to play!
Again, I really appreciate your work to benefit Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. It makes me so proud to help in my small way to support your mission.
Thanks again, Bob”
Bob really took the words right out of our mouths!
Thank you for your contribution and support!
You have the opportunity to be a winner just like Bob.
If you would like to support our charity’s mission while also receiving the chance to win a new pinball machine of your choice, then you know what to do!
Click the links below to show your support in this fun and unique way.
Win a Pinball Machine Stern Pro Model 21-104
76% Sold
Limited to 200 Entries
$50 Per Entry
https://projectpinball.rallyup.com/winapinballmachine-sternpromodel-21-104/
Summer 2021 Part 2 Stern Premium Pinball Machine Raffle
62% Sold
Limited to 200 Entries
$75 Per Entry
https://projectpinball.rallyup.com/summer2021-mandalorian-premium-pinballmachine-raffle/
#projectpinball #forthekids #supportprojectpinball #forthefamilies #teenagemutantninjaturtles #tmntpinball #sternpinball #nonprofit #rafflewinner #brandnewpinballmachine #supportnonprofits #pinballistherapy #therapeuticpinball #fortheloveofpinball #pinballcharity #forpinball #lovescrossamericatour
Saving One Pinball Machine at a Time!
Howard has done it again for Project Pinball!
We have been in contact with a few wonderful donors in the Northeast recently and this is another wonderful pinball machine that has been generously donated to Project Pinball Charity!
World Cup Soccer is already a perfect theme that we have placed in 2019 that was so very special to us in Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)! It is still loved and cherished to this day.
This World Cup Soccer will be going to another special location coming this year! Until then, we’ll be restoring this to its full glory, with Howard’s help, of course! So that it may have many more years of enjoyment ahead!
GOAALLL!!!
But, this was not the first time Howard has saved the day and been able to pick up a donation on our behalf!
Each of these amazing pinball machines has been generously donated to Project Pinball Charity!
Each one is special to us and to our charity’s mission! They all will be used for fundraising purposes or possibly placed on location in the near future!
Howard is one of our amazing volunteers who will go out on our behalf to pick up pins that are donated throughout the Northeast!
Every pinball machine donation is tax-deductible.
We never want to see a pinball machine out in the elements.
We don’t want to see any of them set out to be trashed either, so we accept all donations because after all Project Pinball is #forpinball & #forthekids
Contact Howard or us with questions!
