Newswise — K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is proud to announce a $250,000 donation from iPlay America, a premier indoor theme park located in Freehold, NJ. The gift will help fund the Child Life Program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, which focuses on supporting the emotional well-being of young patients and their families during a hospital stay.

“iPlay America is proud to offer a unique destination for fun and entertainment for thousands of families in the area every year,” said Robert McDaid, CEO of iPlay America. “This gift is one way to share the joy of fun and play with children who are hospital bound, and it’s a way to give back to our greater community. We see this as the beginning of a long relationship with the Child Life Program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, supporting the good work they do.”

Led by trained pediatric experts, the Child Life Program provides a variety of activities throughout the day to help create a fun and positive environment in the hospital and helps alleviate the stress associated with illness. Whether it’s bedside, playrooms or in the teen lounge, special activities may include art therapy, pet therapy, music therapy, and “medical play” to communicate detailed medical information to children in an age appropriate manner.

“The impact of this gift is truly immeasurable and will touch nearly every child that enters our hospital,” shares Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “We cannot thank iPlay America enough for their support and trust in us to utilize these funds to deliver the greatest care we can for our youngest patients.”

With this meaningful donation, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital will make upgrades to the hospital’s playrooms, enhance the music therapy program, and expand Child Life services to the pediatric emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit. To learn more about how you can support Child Life at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, contact Paul Huegel, senior executive director, Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation at 732-751-5117 or visit www.MeridianHealth.com/GIVE.

About Jersey Shore University Medical Center:Jersey Shore University Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health family, is a not-for-profit teaching hospital and home to K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital – the first children’s hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Jersey Shore is the regional provider of cardiac surgery, a program which has been ranked among the best in the Northeast, and is home to the only trauma center and stroke rescue center in the region. Through the hospital’s clinical research program, and its affiliation with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Jersey Shore serves as an academic center dedicated to advancing medical knowledge, training future physicians and providing the community with access to promising medical breakthroughs. For more information about Jersey Shore University Medical Center call 1-800-DOCTORS, or visit www.JerseyShoreUniversityMedicalCenter.com.

About iPlay America: iPlay America is New Jersey’s ORIGINAL indoor Boardwalk. From the moment guests step inside, they enter a world of fun like no other. iPlay America, the indoor city, recreates the Jersey Shore from more than 30,000-feet of Boardwalk space and mid-way style games people loved as kids, to the asphalt city streets complete with two-story buildings, mailboxes, fire hydrants, benches and more to create the feel of downtown. ALWAYS free to enter, guests can access affordable play packages for all of the rides and attractions iPlay America has to offer in their 115,000 square feet of space. iPlay America is the place to Get Inside the Fun! iPlay America is located on Route 9 at 110 Schanck Road in Freehold, New Jersey. iPlay America won New Jersey Monthly’s 2014 Best of New Jersey, Kids Destination and Amusement Parks. iPlay America also received a 2013 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and won the Asbury Park Press Best of Monmouth County honors for Best Indoor Theme Park and Best Candy Store.