Lori and Mike Robbins are originally from Michigan and relocated to Indianapolis 14 years ago. Staying in touch with family, especially Lori's sister Cathy is how she first heard about the Suite Dreams Project. Lori, her husband and their three daughters were enjoying life in Indianapolis and decided it was time to seek ways to give back and to share the blessings of their life in some meaningful way.

The Robbins family spent time listening to presentations of a number of charitable groups, all worthy in their own way but all seeking only financial support, not personal involvement. Nothing clicked. On a visit home to Michigan, Lori was struck again with the work the Suite Dreams Project was doing. "Here is something that involves taking care of children, my greatest passion as I have three daughters," Lori explained to us, "and I've always been - I don't know - picky about my own environment. I feel your environment should bring you joy and comfort."

They came home from the trip and thoughts and ideas about the Suite Dreams Project kept with her. In August 2001, Lori wrote to Kris and Kay of the Suite Dreams Project in Rochester and asked them if they wanted to see their projects expand. "Are you kidding? Of course!" was the enthusiastic response.

From the first inquiry, in August 2001 Lori began gathering volunteers and funding and launched Suite Dreams Project as a five year program of the Robbins Foundation from January 2002 through 2007. At their first fundraiser the "Hats Off Luncheon" in May 2002, they showcased their first three bedrooms. Since that start they turned that small goal into 70 healing rooms for Indiana children totally over 260 healing rooms combined with Michigan, a Suite Dreams playroom used by hundreds of children at the Peyton Manning Hospital for Children at St. Vincent, the launch of the healing play garden for the children of Riley Hospital and the contribution of over $360,000 in projects to the children in our Indiana community, the placement of over 1,000 volunteers and the joy of being highlighted in national publications such as Family Circle and Oprah's O magazine. Much of this has been made possible by the generous donations from individuals and businesses like yours in our community. We have much to be proud and thankful for.

Find out more about Suite Dream Indiana's
Healing Play Gardens.