News Releases

Hollywood Teams with Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital To Cheer Youngsters

Houston, Texas, November 2, 2004 -- Movie magic, along with gobs of games, will brighten hospital stays for sick kids at Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital.

Construction is underway on a Hollywood Video Starlight Site on the ninth floor of Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital, the only such site in Texas. The home video retail chain and sister Hollywood Entertainment subsidiary Game Crazy are partnering with the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation to enhance the healing environment by bringing smiles and capturing imagination.

“A patient’s attitude can play an intangible but profound role in the healing process,” said Steve Allen, CEO of Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital. “Bringing a little fun to the hospital experience makes it less stressful for our patients and their families, and we are grateful to Hollywood Video, Game Crazy and Starlight Starbright for this contribution.”

When completed this winter, the Starlight Site will include a movie theater, videogame and computer stations, a lounge area, and a large, colorful fish tank. Hollywood Video will contribute more than $150,000 to develop the site, while its building-trade vendors will donate more than $100,000 in labor, materials and supplies. The company will keep the site stocked with popular movies that can be accessed any time, and local employee volunteers will host group movie nights for patients twice a month.

“Our goal is to bring a bit of Hollywood into the lives of children across the country,” explained Mark Wattles, founder and CEO of Hollywood Entertainment. The Memorial Hermann site is one of eight the company is building in various cities.

Game Crazy also recently donated $5,000 worth of consoles and games for patients to enjoy. Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital volunteers pitched in another $3,000 to purchase carts and televisions, so 15 mobile game units can be wheeled from room to room. Local Game Crazy employees also volunteer twice a month at the hospital, running videogame tournaments for patients.

Each year 37,000 sick and injured children receive treatment at Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital.

For more information, contact Media Relations.