Military Playrooms

In addition to the 39 Austin's Playrooms in medical facilities in the western Pennsylvania region, there are also four Military Playrooms to support the children of veterans and active duty warriors. By joining forces with the military, the Mario Lemieux Foundation has been able to provide comfort, warmth and love for very special military families.

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Est. 2015 – Jacksonville, North Carolina

Mario and Nathalie Lemieux were joined by Rear Adm. Terry J. Moulton, commander of Navy Medicine East and the hospital commanding officer, Capt. Rick Freedman for the official dedication ceremony. Recounting his own experience with a child with serious medical needs, Freedman noted, “There is no surer way to make a combat-ready Marine, soldier, sailor, airman, or guardsman more ineffective than to have them worry about their loved one. Perhaps if we had access to a beautiful Austin’s Playroom at the National Military Medical Center at Bethesda when we had a sick child and a toddler, our family’s experience might have been different.”

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton

Est. 2014 – Oceanside, California

The Lemieux’s were joined by Rear Admiral C. Forest Faison III, Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy and Captain Mark A. Kobelja, MC, USN, Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton at the dedication ceremony. Camp Pendleton has seen a 30 percent increase in patients who keep their appointments, since its Austin’s Playroom was established. “We are very conscientious about trying to provide stimulating areas in each of our rooms, and when you look around the playroom, you will see an area for imaginative play, a place for caregivers to rest, as well as an area for older children to hang out. Kids can play be comfortable doing things they would do in their own homes.” — Nancy Angus, Executive Director, Mario Lemieux Foundation

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Est. 2011 – Bethesda, Maryland

With the newest toys and games, creative and imaginative play areas and an interactive kiosk, the Lemieuxs felt confident the first Austin’s Military Playroom would give children a space to call their own and parents greater peace of mind while addressing pressing medical needs. “We believe providing an environment that is cheerful, safe and comfortable is an essential complement to medical treatment in a hospital environment. It’s our hope that this playroom will provides comfort, warmth and happiness for very special military families for years to come.” – Nathalie Lemieux