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Tablets That Bring Hope to Teens

“…He wasn’t thinking about gaming or social media. He was just relieved to know that he would no longer have to struggle to find a way to complete his online school work.” 

Toys for Hospitalized Children gifts Apple iPad with customized content to a teen patient at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Mich.
Toys for Hospitalized Children gifts Apple iPad with customized content to a teen patient at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Mich. Photo credit: Toys for Hospitalized Children

This testimonial came from the director of child life services for Hurley Children’s Hospital in Michigan after gifting a personalized Apple iPad to an in-patient teen through the Toys for Hospitalized Children’s Tablet for Teens program.

In addition to the tablet itself, the teen was also gifted with a subscription to Hulu, which he can watch movies on his iPad to keep him entertained while in the hospital. He was thrilled to be able to easily access his school work and stay connected with friends. 

This year, Toys for Hospitalized Children is prepared to give several iPads to teens at Hurley Children’s Hospital. Home and lock screens are customized on each tablet with the organization’s eye-catching logo.

“We began the Tablets for Teens program last year and saw first-hand how much the teens’ moods and spirits were lifted through the gifts we brought,” said JJ Hecht, president at Toys for Hospitalized Children. “The teenage demographic can often be overlooked when it comes to visits and presents in the hospital. Because of this, we are inspired to give more and this year, we customize the tablets to make them more personal.”

Toys for Hospitalized Children has partnered with more than 70 hospitals throughout the country to bring happiness and healing to children suffering from illness. Through their Tablet for Teens program, the Flint, Mich.,-based nonprofit organization helps teenagers “cope through scary, painful or stressful experiences” through gifts that keep them entertained and connected.

Customized home and lock screens were customized on tablets to offer a personalized experience.
Customized home and lock screens were customized on tablets to offer a personalized experience.
Recipient of Toys for Hospitalized Children's Tablets for Teens program in 2019.
Recipient of Toys for Hospitalized Children’s Tablets for Teens program in 2019. Photo source: Toys for Hospitalized Children
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Continuing the Kidd’s Kids Tradition

For more than 25 years, Kidd’s Kids has taken children with life-threatening and life-altering conditions and their families on an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

For the ninth consecutive year, FUSION OF IDEAS has gratefully donated our app development and customization services to this amazing cause. Together with Best Buy and Microsoft, we provided and personally handed out customized Microsoft Surface laptops to each Kidd’s Kids family. Each laptop was personalized with trip information preloaded in the devices.

Customized Microsoft Surface laptops were presented to each Kidd's Kids family.
Customized Microsoft Surface laptops were presented to each Kidd’s Kids family.

The gift of technology is an impactful one for the families. The children use these devices for schoolwork as well as entertainment when they are in the hospital, and for some, who are nonverbal, technology devices are valuable communication tools.

Kidd Kraddick founded Kidd’s Kids in 1991 with a dream to make a difference in the lives of children and their families who were dealing with life-altering conditions. The Irving, Texas-based organization has sent over 4,000 children and their families on a trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The FUSION OF IDEAS team and families onsite to help present the laptops.
The FUSION OF IDEAS team and families onsite to help present the laptops.

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A Customized Experience in NYC: 53rd Annual International Achievement Summit

More than 80 aspiring young scholars, scientists, entrepreneurs and public servants recently gathered in New York City to meet with some of the world’s most outstanding leaders in the arts, sciences, business and public service.

The program, 53rd Annual International Achievement Summit, hosted by the American Academy of Achievement, welcomed recipients of the Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize, Justices of the United States Supreme Court, and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Guests at the 53rd International Achievement Summit. Photo source: American Academy of Achievement
Guests at the 53rd International Achievement Summit. Photo source: American Academy of Achievement

The highlight of the program was the Banquet of the Golden Plate where 34 guests of honor were inducted into the Academy and presented with the Golden Plate Award.

Some of this year’s guests of honor included: Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Leymah Gbowee and Nadia Murad; American blues guitarist and singer, Buddy Guy; Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Brett M. Kavanaugh; The Who’s Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey; musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber; and designer Thomas Heatherwick.

Attendees at the event used iPads that contained preloaded content, including an app that directs the guest to the event’s agenda, as well as iBooks and podcasts created by the Academy. Each tablet was protected by a smart cover printed with a custom design artwork for the event. All of these services, including the kitting of the iPad packages, were serviced by FUSION OF IDEAS.

“We plan all year for our International Achievement Summit and it’s important that we create the best experience for our guests,” said Ethel Terrado-Lowe, Academy of Achievement Director of New Media and Design. “The FUSION OF IDEAS team understood our mission and were not just order takers, they were partners with us in creating a complete brand experience for our program guests. The team was timely, responsive and knowledgeable, which made working with them a seamless experience.” 

The American Academy of Achievement is a nonprofit organization that brings together the most accomplished people from diverse fields around the world to encourage and inspire the next generation. The organization was founded by Brian Blaine Reynolds, a photographer known for his contributions to Life magazine and Sports Illustrated, in order to bring aspiring young people together with preeminent achievers, who excel in their chosen professions.

Attendees used iPads with a custom-printed smart cover. Inside the iPad, there was a preloaded app directed the guest to the event’s agenda.
Attendees used iPads with a custom-printed smart cover. Inside the iPad, there was a preloaded app directed the guest to the event’s agenda.
Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, addresses Academy delegates and members at the Summit. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement.
Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, addresses Academy delegates and members at the Summit. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement.
Some of the guests of honor at the Summit included: Anthony M. Kennedy, retired Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Steven Tyler, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer and songwriter. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement
Some of the guests of honor at the Summit included: Anthony M. Kennedy, retired Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Steven Tyler, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer and songwriter. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement
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Attollo Scholars Experience Some Magic

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson keynotes 'Magic: An Attollo Experience' in Lancaster, Penn. ©Attollo
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson keynotes ‘Magic: An Attollo Experience’ in Lancaster, Penn. Photo source: Attollo

More than 1,300 attendees at the annual Attollo fundraising event in Lancaster, Penn., celebrated a group of 60 high school program scholars for being accepted into colleges across the country. Also highlighting the event, Magic: An Attollo Experience, was a keynote by NBA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson.

This year’s celebratory fundraiser raised $1.5 million benefitting the Attollo program. Founded by the Children Deserve a Chance Foundation, Attollo is a college access/leadership program in Central Pennsylvania that supports youth from underrepresented communities in their pursuit of academic achievement, empowerment and social engagement.

As a token of appreciation to the event sponsors and donors, Attollo partnered with FUSION OF IDEAS to create custom-branded Apple AirPods as gifts. The device included the program’s name and logo printed on the case and on the stems of the headsets. The AirPods box is outfitted with a fitted custom device sleeve that has a photo of Magic Johnson.

One event donor shared anonymously, “You [Attollo] always inspire students to push beyond their comfort zones and do more than they thought possible. I am not quick to try new technology, but when I received these AirPods, I decided to push myself beyond my comfort zone and try them. My grandchildren were so impressed when I came walking in with my AirPods! I can listen to my audiobooks and my old favorite songs.”

Custom branded Apple AirPods are given to event sponsors and donors of Attollo's annual fundraiser.
Custom branded Apple AirPods are given to event sponsors and donors of Attollo’s annual fundraiser.
Attendees celebrate 60 of Attollo's high school program scholars for being accepted into colleges across the country. ©Attollo
Attendees celebrate 60 of Attollo’s high school program scholars for being accepted into colleges across the country. Photo source: Attollo
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The Richard S. Fusco Foundation: Enhancing Lives, One iPad at a Time

Like many cystic fibrosis patients, Richard Fusco spent most of his life in the hospital. In the last three years of life when his health started deteriorating, Fusco depended on an iPad to communicate with his family, stay in touch with friends, and keep himself entertained with movies, books, videos and games.

Fusco’s father, Ralph Fusco, saw how this multifaceted mobile device enhanced the last few years of his son’s life and was inspired to provide the same opportunity with technology to other cystic fibrosis patients. This was the beginning of The Richard S. Fusco Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to help children with cystic fibrosis stay connected with loved ones and school through mobile technology. Since it was founded in 2013, the Foundation has formed partnerships with six children’s hospitals across the country to give iPads to their young cystic fibrosis patients.

The first iPad recipient from The Richard S. Fusco Foundation at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
The first iPad recipient from The Richard S. Fusco Foundation at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

Inspired by his son’s zest for life and positive attitude, Fusco partnered with FUSION OF IDEAS to design a vibrant image for the iPad Smart Cover and a second image for the device sleeve. Prior to each delivery of iPads, the images are printed and packaged up to create a surprise and delight moment upon receiving the device.

FUSION OF IDEAS also uses its proprietary laser etching process to customize the device itself with the Foundation’s name on the back.

Each iPad is custom branded with the Foundation's colorful brand.
Each iPad is custom branded with the Foundation’s colorful brand.

“It is pleasure doing business with FUSION OF IDEAS to produce these colorful covers and packages for the iPads that we hand out,” said Ralph Fusco, founder of The Richard S. Fusco Foundation. “More than just a beautiful package, it is a memorable experience for the children when they open the devices for the first time. The joy we see in their faces and the appreciation by their families is what keeps us going, and we hope to provide that experience to young cystic fibrosis patients nationwide.”

For more information about The Richard Fusco Foundation, visit https://www.richardsfuscofoundation.org/

Every iPad given by The Richard S. Fusco Foundation is hand delivered by the Foundation's president, Ralph Fusco.
Every iPad given by The Richard S. Fusco Foundation is hand delivered by the Foundation’s president, Ralph Fusco.
iPads not only allow the patients to communicate with friends and family during long hospital stays, but they also offer an opportunity for the patients to stay on top of their school work.
iPads not only allow the patients to communicate with friends and family during long hospital stays, but they also offer an opportunity for the patients to stay on top of their school work.