Lollipop Theater Network

Love working with Lollipop. There’s so much love and effort in each session!

Lollipop Theater Network (LTN) has been an important part of our Child Life department. LTN has been crucial in helping our patients feel some sense of normalcy where they are able to keep up with the latest movie out. Movie days have been an uplifting time for our patients and breaks their day or week up from dealing with the medical challenges our patients go through especially during the long extended admission. Thank you Lollipop Theater Network for providing entertainment for our patients!

Lollipop Theater connects hospitalized and chronically ill children and teens with celebrities, animators, and other inspiring folks to inject some joy and wonder into what can often be a painful and difficult time for families. They continually strive to do the best they can for families and all our patients appreciate them so much.

Lollipop Theater Network is an organization that i'll continue to support for the long run. Their immense dedication shows, when they are constantly able to bring smiles to children multiple times a week. Not only do they make it personable for these kids, but they do it in a way that is unlike one i've ever seen before. From their 'Get Creative' , to hosting 'Story Time' , and even different themed BINGO, the children always have a great time. It's nice to see an organization put in the amount of effort that Lollipop Theater Network does.

Lollipop Theater Network works INCREDIBLY hard to ensure there are different programs for kids of all ages. They do an amazing job making each and every child involved feel special, through wonderful virtual programs and in-hospital visits. The guests they manage to obtain are so unique, and it's so clear how much they make the kids smile and engaged. Lollipop Theater Network is AWESOME.

Lollipop Theater Network does an amazing job of bringing unique experiences to our vulnerable inpatient pediatric unit. Our kids get to watch movies that they would otherwise miss out on due to their hospitalization. Lollipop Theater Network provides daily programming which kids look forward to. Whether the kids are learning to draw from their favorite animators or listening to a story from their favorite actress/actor it truly breaks the monotony of their day. Lollipop Theater Network has truly thought outside of the box when it comes to working with our new COVID precautions. They have never strayed away from their mission and continue to deliver moments of happiness to our kids and we are forever grateful!

There are times when the deadlines and stress of work starts to bubble up and then I get an email asking me to volunteer some time to draw with the children. In my mind, I often think, "I don't have the time for this." But I have learned to say yes as often as I can because each time I volunteer and spend time with the precious, wonderful children around the country, I always leave the experience feeling that I have done something that matters. I used to see it as volunteering but the kids make such a positive impact in my life, that it's more of a service to myself to say yes. I love drawing with children! Thank you Lollipop for making such a big difference to everyone involved!

I had been aware of Lollipop’s wonderful work for years but over the last year and half, I have had the pleasure of working with this vitally important organization. I have seen firsthand Lollipop’s dedicated team brings so much joy to children (and their families) who are facing health challenges (often dire ones). I hope Lollipop has an opportunity to spread the positive impact of film, television and music for many, many years to come.

Lollipop Theatre Network is an amazing organization that is focused on providing children and teenagers with the fun experience of watching a film currently shown in the theatres. I have known about Lollipop for a very long time through social media and their fundraising efforts in stores in NYC. However, recently I have had the great opportunity to join their Advisory Board and participate as a volunteer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and at a Sony event. It was truly incredible to see how something so simple of watching a current film that could provide such escape for patients going through such an incredibly hard time. I will never forget the smiles from the youngsters and their parents and this is something that Lollipop brings to every person they touch through their service and access to the entertainment industry. I am deeply committed to their mission and hope to see Lollipop grow and touch more hospitals and organizations with their work.

I've been on the board of directors for the Lollipop Theater for 12 years.

The reason for me joining Lollipop was simple. As a father, I know what it’s like going through the struggles of being a parent. I’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to feel helpless and not be able to help your child under difficult circumstances. Though I don’t have expertise in the medical field, I do have skills in Film and TV and feel its prudent to bring the Hollywood magic to these kids. It allows them some normalcy and hopefully brings them happiness for a couple hours.

As a parent, I feel it's essential to pass down these habits to my son. Its common decency to help others out and honestly should be taught more. To see a kids face light up after talking with them about their favorite cartoon character or actor and bring that person in is one of the best feelings in the world. Just to bring a smile out of them and take their mind off of the medical treatments means more to me then anything.

I’m honored to be apart of an organization like this and hope we can make an even bigger impact in the years to come.

Lollipop theater provides the utmost normalization and special social experiences to hospitalized children and their families. Its the normalcy of daily living, watching a movie as a family, having fun, that helps patients feel comfortable and safe. Thank you Lollipop for giving our patients their life and fun back!!!

Over the years Lollipop Theatre Network has provided countless program opportunities for our patients and families at LAC+USC Medical Center. The programs have included celebrity visits, movie screenings, Rhythm of Hope, Animation Days with visits from artists from local studios and the opportunity to participate in the Annual Superhero Walk.

Our partnership with Lollipop Theater has provided our patient and families with hours of joy and has helped to promote positive experiences and memories of their hospital stay.

When I first heard about the Lollipop Theater Network, I fell in love with the organization and its mission. As someone who is in the animation industry working on projects for kids, it felt deeply personal and extra special that this group gave hospitalized children an experience so simple and yet so meaningful. Just going to watch a movie may be an easy task for many of us, but I think we often take such things for granted. The mission and goals of this nonprofit really spoke to me and I started volunteering. Most recently, I was able to visit a hospital to help with a screening and witness first-hand how wonderful and strong the kids are and how appreciative their parents were to just have a moment of escape to enjoy a movie with their children. It's truly one of the most rewarding experiences just contributing some small amount to an organization that does so much.

I have been a supporter of Lollipop for 15 years. I started as a point of contact for content and over the years have been involved in a myriad of ways - from simply attending events to volunteering my skills and time when needs arose and always educating others about the fantastic work Lollipop does. I can't imagine an easier cause to get behind and support.

Lollipop Theater Network does such amazing work positively impacting ill children across the U.S. in such a meaningful way. Their mission is so profound bringing first run movies, music and entertainment to children who just want to be children. Having recently begun volunteering, the Lollipop team make you feel valued and integrated at every level finding the best way to allow you to make a personal contribute.

I have been working with Lollipop Theater Network for almost a decade. I started as a volunteer and now I am an advisory board member. I love this organization. I wholeheartedly support Lollipop. I have seen, firsthand, the difference Lollipop’s presence has made in hospitals across the country. I have visited multiple children’s wards in Chicago, Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. I have seen children delighted and parents given the opportunity to rest for a moment. I have played “Hospital Bingo”, painted t-shirts, worked on art projects, played games, painted faces, and seen children walk the red carpet to see a film in the hospital (one currently showing in theaters) - a magical experience they would never be able to enjoy without Lollipop. Please join me in supporting this truly inspiring and generous organization. Lollipop brings smiles, laughter and entertainment to children and their families - there’s no cause I’d rather get behind.

It is with immense appreciation that I write this letter of gratitude.  The special events of February 9th, here on 10 South at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, were fun, heartwarming, and very meaningful for all who attended.  Thank you so much for bringing the movies “Narnia” and “Gulliver’s Travels” for our kids and families to enjoy.  Of course, it all began with a request from Tucker’s family since his health was failing and he would not otherwise be able to see these movies unless they came to him.  Tucker was kind and gracious enough to want to share with all the kids on the floor.  And thankfully he was well enough to attend himself and enjoy seeing, firsthand, what he and his family were able to offer to the kids and families.  Everyone was very grateful, humbled, and fully entertained by the events.  Many parents commented about the great distraction it was and how joyful their children seemed to have this unique opportunity while they were stuck here in the hospital.  The ‘buzz’ about the event continued for several days.  As a staff member who has witnessed many special events over the years, this one was truly at the top of the list!  Thank you for making this event possible for everyone……especially for Tucker.  His family will cherish this time together. 

This is a great organization, in my opinion. I am a member of the rock band "Starving For Gravity". We were recently asked to take part in a mentoring program at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles to teach some of the resident children how to write a song, and walk them through the steps involved in the process. It was a very rewarding experience to give these children something to brighten their days and at the same time teach me so much humility and respect in the process.

Rosy, a Child Life Specialist from Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital:

It is always an exciting day when The Lollipop Theater visits our hospital. Lollipop's unique programming approach of bringing the arts to the hospital environment, allows patients and families to integrate a normalizing and positive expereience into their treatment plan. Many patients often say "my other life is on hold when I'm in the hospital" or "I'm always missing out on things my friends get to do". Lollipop theater breaks the barriors and allows the "hospital world" to be part of the whole. Many thanks for this wonderful program.

Angie, a Child Life Specialist from Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital:

I had a patient in the PICU that was very sick and withdrawn. I offered lollipop convinced it would be met with a "no" and surprisingly I got a yes! This was the first "real" activity the patient participated in in weeks!

I was invited to work with some recovering patients at the Childrens Hospital LA on behalf of the LTN. Bottom line, I was apprehensive at first, being deathly afraid of hospitals. Once I opened myself up to the experience, it was one the fulfilling "gigs" I have ever been a part of. Meeting all the great kids, nurses, volunteers, and donors was truly a blessing. Creating a song with a room full of people over the course of an hour or so was very cool. A lot of fun was had by everyone, and I think that it was a wonderful growing and sharing experience for everyone involved. It is a blessing to be a part of this organization, I am thankful for the opportunity, and hope to take part in another event in the future.