Special hospital Joyful Space opening helps bring normalcy to young patients battling illnesses
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Lee Health is revealing an exciting new environment for its patients. The Joyful Space—a 32-foot interactive virtual wall located in the hallway connecting Golisano Children’s Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center—is made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, whose mission is to bring joy to kids battling illness or hunger in communities nationwide.
The space will provide a welcome distraction from patients’ ongoing treatments, giving them a chance to play, spend time with friends, and engage with sensory, interactive experiences as they walk down the hall. The touch-free display features activities like “Munchkin Mayhem,” a two-player challenge using hand-tracking technology and physics-driven mechanics to let patients sort falling Dunkin’ Munchkins in real time.
The wall also projects shapes, shadows, and thought bubbles—transforming passerbys into different characters each time they pass—bringing positivity, whimsy, and laughter to patients, siblings, caregivers, and family members of all ages, reducing focus on their illnesses and allowing them to step outside the traditional hospital environment.
Launched in 2022, Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces are designed to help provide the emotional, social, and developmental needs of patients experiencing stress due to hospitalization, all critical elements of improving a child’s experience and overall healing process.
To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, and its impact in communities across the country, visit www.bringjoy.org.
About Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’ and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners, and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $70 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country.
