This June, Project Sunshine is holding a national Play-A-Thon in support of our annual Summer Solstice campaign. We will be celebrating the loooooooongest day of PLAY on June 21 with a month-long call to engage in fun activities with your family and friends while helping raise funds to support children with medical concerns. There is nothing like a healthy dose of #prescribedplay to make the day brighter.
EVERYONE can participate in the Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon! Here's how:
1. Post your Play. Spread the word on why play is so important. Tag @projectsunshine and use the #playforprojectsunshine to raise awareness.
2. Play and FUNdraise. Ask friends and family to support your PLAY. Register at /summersolstice.
3. Rally Your People to Play. Invite your community to set up a game, class or tournament for the cause. Play is best when shared.
Fill your prescription for PLAY today! Learn more at /summersolstice.
This week, the rain outside was no match for the sunshine inside our pediatrics outpatient department! Project Sunshine lit up the day with a delightful arts and crafts event, bringing joy and creativity to our young patients. #HARLEM #HARLEMHOSPITAL #PROJECTSUNSHINE #PEDIATRICS
What a night. 🎉
To everyone who joined us at the Project Sunshine Gala 2026, thank you. Your presence, your generosity, and your belief in our mission mean everything to us.
Together, we are bringing SUNSHINE to those who need it most. ✨🧡
"Play is medicine. I just didn't know how badly I needed it."
Our board member @quemuel_arroyo wrote something worth reading. After a spinal cord injury at 18, play was the last thing on his mind, until it became everything.
His story is about healing, yes. But it's also about becoming someone who helps others heal too.
Read it. Share it. And if you're moved, support his Play-A-Thon fundraiser for Project Sunshine this June 21. 🌞
🔗 Link in bio.
Words like these mean everything. 💛
"I have been a Child Life Specialist for 16 years and have collaborated with Project Sunshine to bring play to kids at three different hospitals now. Project Sunshine has been one of the most consistently supportive partner organizations I have worked with. I know that I can always trust Project Sunshine to provide appropriate support where it's needed most. Volunteers are always well-prepared for anything. The staff are kind, sincere, thoughtful, and intuitive. They truly bring sunshine wherever they go. I am honored and incredibly grateful to get to partner with Project Sunshine." – Janis at NYP Queens
Thank you, Janis, and thank you to every partner who trusts us to show up for kids when it matters most.
A huge shoutout to the wonderful team of volunteers from Maven Clinic for showing up in the most meaningful way. As part of their Maven Day, they came together to pack 600 Caregiver Kits ❤️for caregivers of children on medical journeys. These kits will bring them much needed comfort and smiles. We appreciate you! #giveback #volunteer #corporateengagement
Every dollar from this 1/1 Lionel Messi goes to children fighting illness in hospitals. 🌅
Going live May 15 on Fanatics Premier — @atcardsnyc and @jakescardsnyc are auctioning a 2024-25 Topps Finest UCC Marks of Excellence Auto · Black Foil 1/1 · PSA 8.5 · on-card autograph — and donating 100% of proceeds to @projectsunshine .
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WHAT IS PROJECT SUNSHINE?
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been delivering the healing power of play to hospitalized children for 25+ years.
The story: in 1998, college student Joe Weilgus visited a friend in the hospital. Walking past the pediatric wing, he saw kids sitting alone in their rooms with nothing to do. He went back the next week dressed as a clown. The org grew from there.
Today, Project Sunshine serves nearly 200,000 pediatric patients every year across 566 partner hospitals in 48 U.S. states, plus Canada, Israel, and Kenya. 18,000+ trained volunteers deliver three programs:
→ Here To Play — in-person hospital visits for creative arts and play
→ Kits for Play — activity kits delivered directly to children’s bedsides
→ TelePlay — live virtual play sessions for kids in isolation
Every child fighting an illness deserves a moment of play. That’s what your bid funds.
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THE CARD:
Topps Finest UCC is one of the most premium products in soccer. Black Foil is the rarest visual parallel in the set. Marks of Excellence is the flagship on-card auto subset. This one is the only 1/1 in the world. PSA 8.5. NM-MT+. On-card autograph. FC Barcelona era.
One card. One auction. Every dollar to kids who need it.
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Live May 15 on Fanatics Premier.
Salute to @atcardsnyc and @jakescardsnyc for organizing this and putting the hobby in the right spotlight 🙏
👑 Our thanks to the @hersheycompany team who worked together to pack 1,200 Crown Kits! Nearly 100 volunteers joined the effort at their Hershey PA headquarters to put together kits that encourage self-expression and creativity for pediatric patients and their families. It was so sweet of them to take time to do this, and we can’t wait to see the smiles these kits will bring.
#volunteer #nonprofit #giveback
The hobby has been great to me and @jakescardsnyc and donating the proceeds from the sale of this 1/1 Messi is a way for us to give back. We have been longtime supporters of @projectsunshine which does incredible work helping children with medical needs. Thank you @collect and @topps for your support🙏
Our Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon is just weeks away and we’re sharing stories of how play changed people’s lives. Today, our board member Caryn Stoll Unger shares how play shaped her career and relationships. As one of the youngest members of the US Ski team, play was her key to connection and belonging.
Read more about Caryn’s prescription for play at the link in bio and register today for the loooooooooongest day of play! Every $15 we raise = one hour of play for a child with medical challenges.
PLEASE JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING THE 2026 VOLUNTEER AWARDS HONOREES!
We are so appreciative to every volunteer who brings joy and hope to families facing medical challenges. A special shoutout to this year’s volunteer award winners — thank you for going above and beyond! ✨
🌟 Rachel Shkolnik & Mariel Arevalo Ballon
College Chapter Leaders of the Year
Rachel and Mariel were instrumental in the establishment of the U of Maryland College Park chapter. Under their leadership, the chapter supports several thriving partnerships in the D.C. area, including the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s National Rehabilitation & Specialized Care Bunker Hill. Their organized, thoughtful leadership styles have allowed them to navigate the challenges of the year. As Rachel prepares to graduate, Mariel’s continued leadership will ensure a strong, sustainable foundation, positioning the chapter for continued impact and success.
🌟 Yale University
College Chapter of the Year
Less than two years in, the Yale University chapter is making a huge impact! Led by Nicholas Murphy and Noah Glassman, the chapter has expanded its presence at Yale New Haven Hospital and launched programming at Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut. Their dedication and drive earned them the title of top college chapter fundraisers of 2025, and they have impacted over 200+ patients and families in the past year.
🌟 Andrew Okhueigbe
Community Chapter Leader of the Year
Andrew began his journey supporting Here to Play programming at Denver Health and quickly deepened his involvement. Since then, Andrew has continued to make a meaningful and lasting impact on pediatric patients. Andrew’s consistent presence, positive energy, and genuine care for the children and families he serves, exemplifies our mission and sets a powerful example for others in the community.
🌟 West Palm Beach
Community Chapter of the Year
The West Palm Beach Chapter proudly serves Quantum House, providing a home away from home for families whose children are receiving medical treatment. Led by Grace Flanagan, a dedicated third-time chapter member, this chapter continues to grow through her leadership, passion, and commitment to recruitment.
