Chicago Cubs dedicate new classroom at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts today joined President of Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation Tom Sullivan and unveiled the new “Cubs Classroom” at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Chicago Cubs owners Tom and Pete Ricketts, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney, as well as Cubs players Starlin Castro, Adrian Cardenas and Steve Clevenger all attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The new 350-square-foot classroom, donated by Chicago Cubs Charities, will serve as the focal point for all of the hospital’s education-based programming, providing a wide variety of learning and enrichment activities to keep children engaged while in the hospital.
“The Chicago Cubs and Chicago Cubs Charities are committed to being active participants in the community,” said Cubs owner and board member Laura Ricketts, who serves as chair of the board of Chicago Cubs Charities. “It is my hope through this effort and our continued partnership; we will help Lurie Children’s impact many more lives and help all children reach their full potential.”
“We are extremely grateful for the commitment of the Cubs organization and their dedication to helping us brighten the lives of children and their families in the months and years ahead,” said Tom Sullivan, President of the Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. “This wonderful new Cubs Classroom space will stimulate important learning and growth for countless young patients in the future.”
The classroom will be prominently located in the 12th floor Family Life Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital, which is expected to welcome an estimated 36,000 visitors each year. The classroom will provide space for volunteer tutors and teachers to help children with their schoolwork and offer grade-appropriate enrichment activities, such as science experiments, computer games, art and multimedia projects, reading, and resources to teach kids about their own health and medical care. Interactive technology-based learning will be a primary focus. Patients will have access to a bank of computers, video resources, educational software and a vast library of multilingual books for all age levels.
“Over the years, we’ve supported numerous health and fitness initiatives and enjoyed our relationship with Children’s Memorial Hospital,” added Ricketts. “Now, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Lurie Children’s Hospital.”