n a partnership with Companions in Courage – a non-profit organization created by NHL Hall of Fame star Pat LaFontaine – Microsoft announced the implementation of a new program today. The project brings interactive entertainment to children and families facing life-threatening obstacles by providing children’s hospitals nationwide with hundreds of Xbox 360 portable game kiosks. The hope is to encourage socialization and fun in an otherwise somber setting.

The kiosks will play preloaded E or E10+ games, Y-rated television
 content and G-rated movies and can be moved around the hospital with ease. A private Xbox Live network will also foster communication and gameplay between hospitalized children via the Xbox Live headset or Vision Camera.  The network was created specifically for the 360 stations in select children’s hospitals and limits communications to between kiosks only.

The official Companions in Courage website reported on today’s festivities, as the first collection of kiosks were presented to three hospitals this morning. The Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center of Seattle and the Children’s Hospital of Orange County California all received donations today. The president of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division – Robbie Bach – attended the Seattle event and commented on the special partnership.

 “Microsoft is committed to keeping kids entertained in a variety of ways within a safe gaming environment, so partnering with Companions in Courage to offer children in hospitals a way to connect through something as universal as games, is a natural fit for the work we do. The goal for this program is to give these kids a chance to have some fun and just be kids.”

Companions in Courage head Pat Lafontaine also weighed in. “Entertainment, creativity and personal connections can be important factors in alleviating some of the isolation and discomfort these children experience each day. Xbox 360 offers young patients a fun escape through games, TV shows, movies and positive interactions with others over the Xbox LIVE network. These gaming stations are a perfect complement to the interactive playrooms.”

It seems the results are already rewarding. “It’s extremely gratifying to witness the joy and excitement of these children and teens when they have a chance to break away from the normal hospital routine, and make new friends while playing video games,” said Cynthia Sparer, executive director of Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. “We are grateful that our partnership with Companions in Courage helps us meet the needs of our patients and allows kids to be kids even when they're sick.”

You can visit the official Companions in Courage website for more information or to make a donation.