Project Sunshine is a national organization. It's goal is to promote positivity and bring a sense of normalcy to children in hospitals, and their families. The club, here at St. Joseph's, has been growing steadily over time. You may be asking yourself, How does Project Sunshine achieve this? We hold fundraisers on campus in order to raise money for the national organization, which is then distributed to pediatric centers around the world.
Our members go on hospital visits, the visits are usually twice a month on Sundays. On our visits we will make crafts, play games, or tutor the children. The experiences you have on these visits are life changing and indescribable. In many of our club meetings we will make cards or a craft to donate to the children on the visit. The crafts we make with the children usually go along with the holiday for that month.
Since St. Joseph's is such a small campus, it is our goal to form tight bonds with the members in our club. We try to plan small activities so that our members can get to know each other on a personal level. In the fall 2015 semester, we planned a pumpkin picking trip with some of our members.
Here, at St. Joseph's, our executive board consists of Gabrielle Cetta (President), Miranda Ortiz (Vice President), Adriana Monge (Secretary), Michael DeCicco (Treasurer), and Nicole McElroy (Social Media Chair). Some of our executive board shared their experiences as members of the club. Here is what they had to say.
"So what means the most to me and the most impact this club has had for me is when I have a child hug me or I just see their smile. At our last visit I had one parent come up to me and she was so thankful about what the members did that day. Their child supposedly wasn't talking to anyone and he did to one of us. This club impacts the families and patients obviously, but it also impacts the members in a rewarding and positive way." Gabrielle Cetta.
"I've had so many great experiences within this club. Getting that one on one time with the kids is probably what I value most. It's nice for them to have a change of scenery every once in a while, playing with the same people all of the time can probably get super boring.
I actually got dragged to my first meeting by a friend. I was very hesitant to join because the idea of going to a hospital to play with a bunch of sick children really freaked me out, but after my first meeting I was hooked. This club has become my pride and joy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
It's impacted me in several ways, but what I appreciate the most is how much I've grown up because of it. Being around people who are so much less fortunate than you are is a wake up call. Everyday people take advantage of their health, and this club has taught me that everyday healthy is truly a blessing."
Miranda Ortiz
"Project Sunshine has tremendously impacted my life, is such an emotional and rewarding experience. Every hospital visit checks you back into reality and allows you to be grateful for what you have. You'll definitely have some experiences that will make you cry, but I cherish those the most. Once, an eight year boy asked me, "Why me? Why did I have to get sick?" I simply responded with, "What do you mean? You were chosen! That's an honor, you are considered to be one of the strongest people. They felt like you could handle it!" The boy immediately gave me a hug and smiled. I'm not sure how I came up with a response so quickly, but I am forever grateful for these moments."
Michael DeCicco.
Join us for our next meeting on Feb. 24 during Common Hour in room N216!
