Fun Center Brings Entertainment to Children at their Bedsides

Patients at Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria will be smiling brighter thanks to a multi-media Fun Center sponsored through the partnership of Woodforest National Bank and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Designed to combat the anxiety and weariness faced by hospitalized children, the latest Fun Center model includes a flat screen monitor, a DVD player and a Nintendo Wii system. The Fun Center will be unveiled November 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Children’s Hospital.

The Fun Center can roll right to the side of a patient’s beds or anywhere in a hospital, which makes them perfect for children in numerous situations: anticipating surgery, during long outpatient clinic treatments, waiting in the emergency room or fighting loneliness after visiting hours have ended. It is this versatility that has made Fun Centers an invaluable tool in Starlight’s programmatic efforts to counter the isolation and fear often experienced by sick children.

“The Woodforest Charitable Foundation is pleased to offer support to such a worthy cause. It is extremely unfortunate when any child is diagnosed with a disease. The Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest provides a valuable service to the families of these children which helps in the healing process. Woodforest National Bank employees are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others,” said Kim Marling, Vice President of Woodforest Charitable Foundation.

Caregivers report that Fun Center use may even result in a reduced need for pain medication. To learn more about the Fun Center program, visit www.starlight-midwest.org.