Military Playrooms
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