CCF Grant Puts PS5 Kiosk at Cook Children’s in Prosper
From the moment you walk in, you notice that Cook Children’s Medical Center in Prosper is not a standard hospital.
Whimsical furniture, a two-story video board, longhorns hanging from the ceiling and vibrant colors combine to give a calming, fun vibe to the pediatric hospital.
As Cook’s Child Life Specialist, Brookelynn Wetzel makes sure kids can still be kids with toys, games and stuffed animals. But the hospital treats teenagers and young adults, too, who may not be as interested in toys or coloring books.
“I can’t tell you how many times we get asked for a PlayStation and we didn’t have it,” Brookelynn said.
Enter Gamers Outreach, a Michigan nonprofit that has developed special gaming console stations for hospitals.
Bringing Joy and Normalcy
Through a CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) grant, Gamers Outreach donated a PlayStation 5 along with a monitor as part of a portable gaming station. The stations, called GO (Gamers Outreach) Karts, are specially designed so they can roll around the hospital from room to room. The console itself is protected under a cover and the monitor can be adjusted. The sleek design also makes it easy to disinfect.
“It’s one of our most used things around here, and we’re so grateful for it,” Brookelynn said. “This is a great way to normalize the hospital and give them something they are used to doing at home.”
Mercy Hill smiled as her son, Jackson Cole, grabbed the controller and fired up a Brawl Stars match on the PlayStation 5, just like he does at home. Jackson, 14, has an MRI scan coming up, but for now, he’s just a kid playing a video games.
Jackson Cole, 14, plays a game on a new PlayStation 5 GO Kart while being treated at Cook Children's Medical Center in Prosper. The GO Kart was donated by Gamers Outreach thanks to a CoServ Charitable Foundation grant. The CCF grant was made possible thanks to CoServ Electric Members and Gas Customers who round up their bill as part of Operation Roundup.
Who is Gamers Outreach?
Gamers Outreach now has more than 2,500 GO Karts in over 450 facilities in 13 different countries, said Walter Duccini, Managing Director for Gamers Outreach. The goal is to provide joy and normalcy to children while they’re at the hospital.
“The faces just light up every time the GO Kart goes into the room,” Walter said.
The Go Kart at the Prosper location is the third iteration of a design that started 18 years ago. The latest versions can accommodate all modern gaming consoles while conforming to hospital regulations.
Gamers Outreach is always innovating and is working now to refine their most recent design, making minor improvements based on hospital feedback.
Gamers Outreach also has an initiative called Player 2 where gaming enthusiasts can volunteer to play games with the patients at the hospital. Player 2 volunteers go through the same screening process as all hospital volunteers. It’s a great way for gamers to give back while sharing the experience with patients.
Visit www.gamersoutreach.org for more information.
Thank You for Supporting Operation Roundup
None of this would be possible without you! Operation Roundup grants like this are funded by Members and Customers who round their bill up to the nearest dollar.
“Rounding up your bill costs a few cents per month but makes a huge impact for grants like this one to Gamers Outreach,” said Jennifer Ebert, CCF and Outreach Coordinator. “The gaming console will brighten the day for hundreds of children as they undergo life-saving treatment. Thank you so much for your generosity.”
Click here to learn more about the CoServ Charitable Foundation.
In addition to providing the CCF grant to Gamers Outreach, CoServ is proud to provide reliable electricity and natural gas to Cook Children’s Medical Center.