Brooklyn, NY, April 25, 2024 — Maimonides Children’s Hospital today announced that it will begin renovation and redesign of its pediatric patient playroom, a project that will be funded in full by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation®, an independent charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, through its Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces Grant Program.

The pediatric playroom updates will impact the more than 2,700 patients served in Maimonides’ inpatient pediatric units each year. They will include the addition of child-friendly, sensory, and educational equipment like new toys, wall gaming systems, artwork, tables and chairs, and storage, with cosmetic upgrades emphasizing bright colors and natural light. The renovations will create a therapeutic and joyful patient environment, promoting greater healing, social interaction, and overall well-being, while reducing anxieties and isolation and providing a sense of normalcy in an otherwise scary hospital environment. Engaging in play-based activities within the revitalized playroom allows children to experience joy, empowerment, and a sense of accomplishment, which are essential for their growth and development.

The Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces program is designed to bring the joy of play and healing to children battling illness and their families. The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation also partnered with Maimonides Health earlier this year to provide new toys in the Maimonides Doctors Multispecialty Pavilion Pediatric Waiting Area for children receiving medical services at Maimonides.

“We are grateful to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation for their generosity in helping us to ensure that Maimonides Children’s Hospital is a place of healing, with an environment that helps our patients to gain a greater sense of well-being,” said Dr. Jeffrey Avner, Chair of Pediatrics at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. “These updates are especially important as we anticipate serving more patients in the near future with the opening of our state-of-the-art expanded pediatric emergency department, which will serve as the largest pediatric emergency department in all of Brooklyn, a borough with over 600,000 children.”

“Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces creates and revitalizes places for kids battling illness and their families to escape day-to-day stressors while undergoing care,” said Victor Carvalho, Dunkin’ Franchisee and Chairman of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation Board of Directors. “Through our incredible partner, Maimonides Children’s Hospital and the amazing work they do, we have an opportunity with this single room to bring joy to thousands of pediatric patients each year.”

The implementation of the renovations will be overseen by Maimonides’ Child Life, Creative Arts, and Education Program, which offers a variety of services to support the emotional, social, and developmental needs of children experiencing stress due to hospitalization, and help children, adolescents, and families cope with the difficulties of serious illness and inpatient treatment.

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About the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted nearly $60 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country thanks to the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit www.bringjoy.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Dunkin’

Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 13,700 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.com and InspireBrands.com.