The Project Pinball Charity recently donated an old Gottlieb Stargate pinball machine to Camp Sunshine, an award-winning retreat on the shores of Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine. The camp, meant for children with life-threatening illnesses, hopes to use the machine as a therapeutic (and fun!) device for kids struggling with illness.
Project Pinball visited Camp Sunshine to set up the machine, and Camp Sunshine families were already putting it to good use by the time they left. The camp hosted a local celebrity tournament, led by Jeff Parsons from a local radio station.
“This is definitely one of the most unique gifts we have received at Camp Sunshine,” said Michael Katz, the camp’s Executive Director. “The pinball machine is one more way we can provide fun for our families attending Camp.”
The Project Pinball Charity provides recreational relief to patients and families through the gift of pinball machines to hospitals across the country. The organization works to restore the games and regularly maintain them for their recipients free-of-charge. As of 2017, Project Pinball will have placed 26 such pins throughout the United States in children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses.
“When Project Pinball first heard about Camp Sunshine, we were really impressed with how they have a special way to help kids and families. We wanted to do something special for them so in turn they could keep doing amazing things for others,” said Dan Spolar, Project Pinball Charity’s founder. “This is the first time we placed a pinball at a nonprofit like Camp Sunshine. We are thankful for the opportunity to do such impactful things with pinball.”