Ohio State University | A MOMENT OF MAGIC

A Moment of Magic
at The Ohio State University

COLUMBUS,OHIO

Meet A Moment of Magic at The Ohio State University

A Moment of Magic OSU is dedicated to harnessing the power of play to spark joy, foster connection, reduce isolation, and support the mental health and emotional healing for medically vulnerable children and their families.

We have proudly served the greater Columbus community since 2018 by engaging students at OSU. Together, we bring moments of magic, hope, and healing to children when they need it most.

More About Our Work

Give Today. Change a Child’s Tomorrow.

Your donation supports local hospital visits and mental health programming led by OSU volunteers. All gifts made here stay with the OSU chapter to support children in the surrounding community.

Our Supporters

Our supporters make our work possible.
Become a supporter by contacting us here.

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Community Partners

Pediatric Congenital Heart Association

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Make a Wish

Fighting Blindness

A Kid Again

Sutter ParkPreschool

NCH Development Board

Make a Wish Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana

Request a Visit

Letters of Support

Feedback & Testimonials

We believe in letting our impact speak for itself — and these testimonials say it best.
Discover how small moments have made a big difference in the lives we serve.

"We were so thankful for our visit. This made our son and daughter’s day. They absolutely loved the 1:1 attention! It was amazing and the kids have already been asking for their friends to come back again."

Kristina Handshy,

Parent

"The kids felt really special getting to meet the students, and I could tell they had a lot of fun talking and engaging in play."

Allie Ewald,

Buckeye THON

"It was great to have the magic makers and characters. They made a lot of kids happy."

Lynda Shellist,

Director of Events at Fighting Blindness

Day 6 of 25 Days of Magic ✨

25 Days of Magic isn’t only about meeting urgent needs. It’s about creating moments that stay with families long after the holidays are over. Through this campaign, our volunteers spend meaningful time with medically vulnerable children and their siblings, delivering thoughtfully chosen gifts and building connections that last.

This home visit in Indiana was for Haddie, Haisley, and Ryder through our Loyola chapter. This visit was full of fun new fashion picks, arts and crafts, stuffed animals, and warm hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.

This is the heart of 25 Days of Magic: showing up with intention, honoring where families are today, and leaving them with moments of joy they can carry forward.

✨ Gifts given through 25 Days of Magic are being matched up to $5,000, helping us continue creating moments like this for families across the country. Make your year-end donation now at amomentofmagic.org/donate

#25DaysofMagic #AMomentofMagic #HolidayMoments #MagicThatLasts

✨ We love seeing our chapters shine, especially when their impact is recognized in the community.

WPI’s Moment of Magic club was recently featured for the joy they bring to children and families by stepping into beloved characters and creating moments of comfort, connection, and imagination.

💜 We’re so proud of our WPI Magic Makers for bringing this magic to life and showing what it means to lead with compassion, creativity, and heart.

Read more: https://www.telegram.com/story/news/regional/2025/11/25/wpi-moment-of-magic-club-brings-familiar-movie-faces-to-comfort-kids/87384881007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116931p119650c119650d00----v116931d--43--b--43--&gca-ft=164&gca-ds=sophi

#AMomentOfMagic #MagicMakers #WPI #InTheNews #KidsDeserveMagic #HealingThroughPlay #SpreadJoy

Day 5 of 25 Days of Magic ✨

This season, 25 Days of Magic is about bringing care, connection, and moments of joy directly to families, including right into their homes. Through this campaign, our volunteers spend time with medically vulnerable children and their families and deliver gifts chosen specifically for them, helping make the holidays feel lighter and more familiar.

This visit took place in Maryland with Lynka, Arrah, Nathan, and Eli through our James Madison University Chapter. Each child has their own idea of what makes the holidays fun — from art and sports to Legos, stuffed animals, and more. The gifts were selected to reflect exactly that: who they are and what brings them joy.

Our volunteers spent time with the family at home, creating space for play, laughter, and togetherness. These moments matter deeply when much of the year has revolved around appointments, treatment, and uncertainty. These visits are about meeting families where they are and reminding kids that joy still has a place in their story.

✨ As we continue 25 Days of Magic, donations are being matched up to $5,000, helping us reach more families like this one before the holidays arrive. If you’re following along and wondering how to help, your support makes these moments possible. Visit amomentofmagic.org/donate to make your year end gift today

#25DaysofMagic #AMomentofMagic #HolidayJoy #GiveWithHeart

Day Four of 25 Days of Magic ✨

25 Days of Magic is our annual holiday campaign where we identify 25 medically vulnerable families across the country and show up with both presence and care. Through this initiative, our trained volunteers spend meaningful time with children and families and fulfill their holiday wish lists, creating moments of joy, connection, and normalcy during the holiday season.

Today, we’re sharing a family from Pennsylvania visited by our West Chester University Chapter. This visit was for Emilia, Lynnea, and baby Louie. Emilia loves pretend play, dancing, and gymnastics, and like her sister, finds joy in imagination, creativity, and being together. With much of this season unfolding inside the hospital, these moments of play and attention matter deeply.

When so much of life revolves around treatment schedules and uncertainty, having a moment that feels familiar and safe can make all the difference. Our volunteers spent time with Emilia and her siblings at home, meeting them where they are and creating space for joy to exist alongside everything else this season holds.

✨ A reminder for those following along: donations are being matched up to $5,000, meaning your support right now helps us reach even more families like Emilia’s before the holidays are here. If you’ve been looking for a way to make an immediate impact, this is a powerful moment to step in.

#25DaysofMagic #AMomentofMagic #HolidayCare #GiveWithPurpose

Thank you to the Wyoming Valley Athletic Association for their generous $500 donation to the A Moment of Magic Misericordia Chapter. Your support directly helps our student volunteers show up for children and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania, bringing moments of joy, connection, and care into our community.

Local partnerships like this make a real difference. Because of your generosity, our Misericordia volunteers are able to continue their work throughout NEPA, investing time, creativity, and heart where it’s needed most. We’re grateful for your commitment to giving back and for believing in the power of community-driven impact.

Thank you for standing with our students and the families they serve.

#CommunitySupport #NEPAImpact #AMomentofMagic #StudentLeadership #LocalPartners

Day Three of 25 Days of Magic ✨

25 Days of Magic is our annual holiday campaign where we identify 25 medically vulnerable families across the country and show up with both presence and care. Through this initiative, our trained volunteers spend meaningful time with children and families and fulfill their holiday wish lists creating moments of joy, connection, and normalcy during the holiday season.

Today, we’re sharing our third family from New Hampshire. This visit was for Skye and Harper, two sisters who love creating, building, and imagining from arts and crafts and stuffed animals to Barbies, dress up, and everything in between. With much of this season spent in treatment and hospital care, having time set aside just for play and creativity matters deeply.

Our AMoM Worcester Polytechnic Institute volunteers spent time with Skye and Harper while in the hospital in Boston, bringing gifts chosen just for them and creating space for laughter, imagination, and togetherness right where they were.

✨ Right now, every dollar given toward 25 Days of Magic goes twice as far. The first $5,000 in donations will be matched, helping us reach more families before the holidays arrive. Be a part of what comes next at amomentofmagic.org/donate

#25DaysofMagic #HospitalVisits #AMomentofMagic #HolidayImpact #SeasonOfGiving

Having a truly 🌟flitterific🌟 time at the Ronald McDonald House.

#AMomentofMagic #BraveStrongFearless #PlayThatSparksHealing #AMoMMarquette

Day Two of 25 Days of Magic ✨

25 Days of Magic is our annual holiday campaign where our volunteers spend time with medically vulnerable children and families across the country and fulfill their holiday wish lists, creating moments of joy, connection, and care during the holidays.

Today, we’re honored to share our second family, supported through our Marquette chapter, and joining us from Wisconsin. This family includes Tate, Aleigha, and Rhett — three kids who love football and fishing, princesses and dress-up, and anything with wheels. After spending past holidays navigating treatment and recovery, this season brings a meaningful opportunity for their family to celebrate together at home.

Because of our community, Tate, Aleigha, and Rhett will experience the excitement of the holidays with gifts chosen just for them, moments that help families focus on joy, togetherness, and hope.

We need your help to keep this going. The first $5,000 donated to 25 Days of Magic will be matched, doubling your impact and allowing us to support more families like this one across the country.

Donate today at amomentofmagic.org/donate and help us bring magic to the next family.

#25DaysofMagic #AMomentofMagic #HolidayGiving #GiveWithHeart

✨ Imagine a room full of college students, crowns, music, laughter and a mission bigger than any one moment. That’s what happened at UNC Charlotte, where their A Moment of Magic chapter gathered to celebrate the magic they’re bringing to medically vulnerable children across the country.

A Moment of Magic started with a single visit: one princess dress, one hospital room, one spark of joy that changed everything. Today, students nationwide step into hospitals dressed as beloved characters to bring connection, comfort, and play to children navigating incredibly tough circumstances.

Funds from events like this support the heart of our work: comprehensive volunteer training, hospital visits, special events, mental health programs, and our virtual initiative, AMoM Unlimited.

UNC Charlotte’s celebration reflected all of that heart: musical performances, student organizations coming together, community partners showcased, and a room glowing in AMoM purple. Every person in the room represented another step toward helping kids feel brave, supported, and seen.

💜 To the students, performers, partners, and supporters who made this celebration shine: thank you for helping us bring a little more joy into a child’s world.

Read more: https://www.ninertimes.com/arts_and_culture/a-royal-dream-fall-ball-helps-to-raise-spirits-and-awareness/article_c699df09-e189-4fb7-8378-37b65cce5ee8.html

#AMomentOfMagic #MagicMakers #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #CollegeVolunteers #PlayThatSparksHealing #KidsDeserveMagic #UNCCharlotte

Behind the scenes of Day 1 of our 25 Days of Magic ✨

From carrying gifts down three flights of stairs, to packing the trunk, to placing them in the hands of a family who needs a little extra care this season — this is what care looks like in motion. Every step is intentional, thoughtful, and rooted in the belief that families deserve to feel loved during the holidays.

This Indiana family is caring for four children while navigating medical vulnerability and significant life changes. Through 25 Days of Magic, we’re supporting medically vulnerable children and their families by helping restore moments of joy and normalcy during a season that can feel overwhelming.

Your support makes that possible. Right now, the first $5,000 donated will be matched, doubling your impact and helping us reach even more families across the country.

Help us keep the magic moving at amomentofmagic.org/donate

#BehindTheMagic #25DaysofMagic #AMomentofMagic #HolidayGiving #GiveWithHeart

Each December, we launch 25 Days of Magic, a campaign rooted in one simple belief: when families are carrying more than anyone should have to carry, they deserve to feel seen, supported, and cared for.

Through this initiative, we fulfill the wish lists of 25 children or families across the country who are medically vulnerable, helping to ease some of the weight families are holding and restore moments of joy, comfort, and normalcy during the holiday season.

Our first 25 Days of Magic family from Indiana qualified for this program because they are navigating an extraordinary convergence of loss and caregiving responsibility, all while continuing to show up for their children with love and determination.

Life has asked a lot of this family in a very short amount of time. This holiday season, because of the generosity of our community, Rosie, Colton, Collin, and Braylynn received gifts picked out especially for them. Because of you, they experience the kind of care that reminds families they don’t have to carry everything alone.

To our donors: thank you. Your support makes moments like this possible. You are helping turn uncertainty into relief, and ensuring that the holidays hold space for joy, comfort, and connection exactly when families need it most.

This is why 25 Days of Magic exists. And this is just the beginning.

Get involved by making a donation at amomentofmagic.org/donate. The first $5,000 in donations will be matched this holiday season. 🌟

#25DaysofMagic #HolidaySpirit #AMomentofMagic #FeelGood

We’re so grateful to our partners at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, Inc. for welcoming our Magic Makers with open arms. Every visit here reminds us how powerful it is when organizations come together to support families with care, comfort, and connection.

Our volunteers loved spending time with the incredible families staying at the House, creating moments of joy and community during a season that can feel overwhelming. RMHC does extraordinary work to make families feel at home when they’re far from home, and we’re honored to play an part in that experience.

Thank you for your partnership and for the warmth you show our teams every time we visit. We’re proud to continue this work together.

#RMHCPartners #FamilySupport #AMomentOfMagic #CommunityMatters #JoyInAction

📸: @amomentofmagicwvu

A huge thank you to the Amazon Skokie, IL team for packing Bravery Bags as part of Amazon’s generous $25,000 commitment to A Moment of Magic. These bags deliver comfort, creativity, and connection to children navigating medical challenges through our Express, Create, Heal program and they’re a meaningful part of how we support emotional wellbeing during tough moments.

Corporate partners like Amazon make it possible for us to expand our reach, strengthen our programming, and bring dignified, joy-centered support to more families across the country. We’re grateful for their leadership, compassion, and hands-on involvement in helping us reimagine what community care can look like.

To learn more about our social responsibility initiatives and how your organization can get involved, visit: https://www.amomentofmagic.org/corporate-impact

#CorporateImpact #AmazonGivesBack #CommunityPartnership #AMomentOfMagic #BraveryBags

Bringing magic into public spaces is joyful, but what sets A Moment of Magic apart is the depth of training, intention, and care behind every interaction our volunteers have with children and families.

When you see our Magic Makers out in the community, you’re seeing the result of a program built on rigorous preparation, clinical alignment, and a deep commitment to dignity-centered care.

We were the first organization in the U.S. to bring character visits into pediatric hospitals and we’ve spent over a decade refining that model. Our volunteers are trained in psychosocial support, trauma-informed engagement, cultural sensitivity, and child-led play, because medically vulnerable children deserve joy they can trust, delivered by people who understand what true emotional support looks like.

For us, character integrity isn’t about performance. It’s about protecting the magic for every child we meet. And whether that connection happens in a hospital room or a public plaza, our standard remains the same: safety, empathy, professionalism, and heart.

#WhatSetsUsApart #ChildCenteredCare #AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing #VolunteerExcellence

📸: @amomentofmagictempleu

What you’re seeing here is more than a sweet drawing and a magical visit.

It’s an example of how meaningful relationships form when children are given space to express themselves and feel truly seen. Her message tells us something important: she felt excited, empowered, and connected enough to invest her imagination into the moment.

These are the interactions that support confidence, communication, and emotional wellbeing. When children share something they’ve created, they’re practicing self-expression, building trust, and experiencing the joy of being celebrated for exactly who they are. Our volunteers are trained to honor those moments, respond with empathy, and reinforce the child’s strengths.

At A Moment of Magic, we don’t measure impact by the number of visits alone. We measure it by the relationships that form, the creativity that sparks, and the way a child lights up when they see the power of their voice.

📸: @amomentofmagicwcu

#ChildhoodMagic #EmotionalWellbeing #PlayThatSparksHealing #AMomentOfMagic #ChildLedPlay

✨ We’re so honored to be featured in Cooperative Living and even more grateful for the way this story captures the heart of our mission.

The article highlights how our college volunteers step into hospital rooms and community spaces not just as characters, but as compassionate companions who help children reconnect with joy, imagination, and a sense of control during some of the hardest moments of their lives. It shares how a single visit can shift the energy in a room, spark confidence, ease anxiety, and remind a child that they are more than their diagnosis.

From teaching emotional-regulation tools by using play to creating moments where kids feel brave, seen, and celebrated, our Magic Makers are building something far bigger than a costume moment. They’re creating healing-centered memories that last.

Thank you to Cooperative Living for shining a light on this work and helping even more people believe in the magic that happens when young leaders show up with empathy and imagination.

💜 Read the full story at https://www.co-opliving.com/14545/do-you-believe-in-magic/

#AMomentOfMagic #MagicMakers #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #CollegeVolunteers #PlayThatSparksHealing

One of the most powerful parts of A Moment of Magic’s model is something you don’t always see from the outside: we are intentionally developing the next generation of empathetic, informed, service-driven leaders.

Our volunteers aren’t just showing up for moments of joy. They’re trained in child development, trauma-informed engagement, psychosocial support, and dignity-centered care. These are skills that are rarely taught this early in a young adult’s life, and almost never paired with hands-on experience inside hospital systems across the country. This depth of training, responsibility, and emotional intelligence is one of the things that sets AMoM apart in the nonprofit world.

Celebrating these students isn’t simply about awards; it’s about recognizing the unique ecosystem we’ve built. When young leaders feel seen and equipped, they bring an entirely different level of presence, confidence, and compassion into their visits. And that translates directly into stronger outcomes for the children and families we support.

This is what it looks like to cultivate leadership that grows with purpose. Leadership doesn’t just make a moment magical, but helps build a more humane, heart-centered future in healthcare and beyond.

#StudentLeaders #VolunteerDifferentiator #NextGenChangemakers #AMomentOfMagic #PsychosocialSupport

📸: @amomentofmagicjmu

It’s the final call to shop A Moment of Magic merch for the holidays! Every purchase helps support our volunteers, programs, and the children and families we serve and it’s a meaningful way to gift something that gives back.

From cozy apparel to mission-centered favorites, these pieces are designed to celebrate joy, kindness, and the heart of our work. If you’re still looking for a last-minute gift that makes an impact, this is your moment.

Shop now before the holiday window closes at amomentofmagic.org/shop

#GiftsThatGiveBack #HolidayShopping #AMomentOfMagic #MissionMerch #ShopForGood

Some moments feel like pure sunshine. Watching a child step into her magic with two heroes who believe in her just as much as she believes in them is one of those moments.

At A Moment of Magic, our volunteers are trained to create these dignified, child-led interactions that support mental and emotional health while restoring pieces of childhood that every young person deserves. Moments like this help us build a care community around each family, expand what holistic support can look like, and remind the world that joy is not extra, it’s essential.

Learn more and get involved at amomentofmagic.org

#ChildhoodCancerAwareness #PsychosocialSupport #AMomentOfMagic #JoyIsEssential #PlayThatSparksHealing

When a mom sends you a video like this… it hits you just how deeply these moments truly matter.

Her daughter has been in the hospital fighting cancer and our magical volunteer has become her “bestie” through every brave step.

This is what A Moment of Magic really does. We don’t just show up for a child for a moment. We become part of their care community.

Our volunteers bring stability, joy, and emotional support in a space where childhood so often gets interrupted. It’s play with purpose. Connection with intention. Healing that begins with feeling seen.

These are the kinds of moments that turn fear into courage and turn a hospital room into a place where hope lives.

#AMomentofMagic #ChildhoodCancer #MagicInRealLife #PlayThatSparksHealing #HospitalHeroes

“Does my donation matter?”
Here’s your answer. 💛

Every smile, spark of confidence, and moment when a child in the hospital remembers what it feels like to be a kid again your generosity makes that possible.

Just $10 creates a Moment of Magic that brings color, comfort, and joy into a place that can feel overwhelming.

Your donation creates a moment a child will remember, especially when they need it most.

💛 $10 = 1 Moment of Magic
💛 Goal: 1,000 moments
💛 Give today: AMOMENTOFMAGIC.ORG/DONATE

#GivingTuesday #AMomentOfMagic #MakeMagicHappen
#ChildhoodCancerAwareness #GiftsThatGiveBack #PlayThatSparksHealing

Today’s the day. 💛

On Giving Tuesday, we’re raising funds to create 1,000 Moments of Magic for children facing hospitalization, treatment, and the hard parts of medical life.

When our volunteers walk into a room, everything shifts. Color, connection, and joy fill the space, and a child who may have been quiet or overwhelmed begins to light up again. These moments reduce stress, lift spirits, and give families a breath of relief.

And it only takes $10 to create one.

If you believe every child deserves moments filled with joy, especially, on their hardest days, we would be so grateful for your support today.

💛 $10 = 1 moment of magic
💛 Goal: 1,000 moments
💛 Give now: AMOMENTOFMAGIC.ORG/DONATE

Let’s make magic happen together. ✨

#AMomentofMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing #GivingTuesday #NonprofitsofIG

✨ SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY ✨

Our biggest sale of the year is here and the Hope Rainbow Hat, designed with artwork by Emilia, one of our AMoM Super Stars and childhood cancer fighters, is officially the must-have gift of the season. 🎁💛

This limited-edition hat, and all of our AMoM Merch, is 25% OFF today and already going fast. Soft, comfy, meaningful, and created by one of the incredible kids we serve, it’s the perfect way to shop small and give back.

🌟Now only $22.50 with code BLACKFRIDAY25
🌈 Limited quantities
💛 All proceeds support medically vulnerable children

Shop now: AMOMENTOFMAGIC.ORG/SHOP ✨

✨ Happy Thanksgiving from A Moment of Magic ✨

Today, we’re celebrating the moments that make our work feel nothing short of magical.

We’re grateful for…

1. Running-down-the-hallway hugs — the joyful, full-speed kind that remind us connection is healing.

2. Crayons that color our world — sparking creativity in hospital rooms and waiting areas everywhere.

3. Laughter that fills up the whole floor — the kind that echoes down the hallway and reminds us that happiness belongs in hospitals, too.

4. Little hands reaching for ours — trusting us to walk with them through brave moments.

5. Costumes, wigs, and tiaras — not for pretend, but for becoming who they truly are: strong, brave, magical.

6. Volunteers who show up with full hearts every single day — bringing play, presence, and possibility.

7. Parents and caregivers who let us in — inviting us to be part of the moments that matter most.

8. Bravery Bags packed with hope — small reminders that no child faces their journey alone and that little tools can make a big difference.

9. Storytime moments where imagination becomes a safe escape for a child who needs it.

10. Every child who feels seen, supported, and a little more magical because of you.

To our families, volunteers, partners, and supporters: thank you for helping us bring comfort, creativity, and healing-centered play to children who need it most. Because of you, magic is real, and it shows up every single day in moments big and small.

🧡 Wishing you and yours a warm, joy-filled Thanksgiving.

#AMomentOfMagic #ThanksgivingMagic #GiveThanks #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness hold the biggest amounts of magic ✨

When our volunteers heard that 9 year old Jazzy was in need of cheering up, they immediately sprung into action. Within a few hours, they organized a virtual Rally for Jazzy, bringing together our national community of volunteers, dozens of magical characters, and a night that no one will soon forget.

That’s the beauty of A Moment of Magic and the power of this community — showing up at moments when we’re needed most for a shared laugh, to spark the wonder of childhood, and a provide little bit of joy in a hard time. 💜

Learn more at amomentofmagic.org

#amomentofmagic #playthatsparkshealing #childhoodcancerawareness #volunteerwork #collegestudents

Just because a child can’t leave their hospital room doesn’t mean they can’t be transported to a world of creativity, connection, and care. ✨

During a recent virtual visit with UnityPoint Health – Blank Children's Hospital, our volunteers brought laughter, imagination, and healing-centered play directly to patients through our virtual programming.

This is why we launched AMoM Unlimited, our virtual programming platform designed to reach children wherever they are. Whether they’re in isolation due to treatment, living in rural areas, or navigating long-term hospital stays, every child deserves moments of joy, imagination, and healing.

Through engaging crafts, silly stories, and heart-led connection, AMoM Unlimited helps ensure every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

Learn more about our virtual programming at www.amomentofmagic.org/amom-unlimited

#AMoMUnlimited #VirtualMagic #PsychosocialCare #HealingThroughPlay #UnityPointHealth #BlankChildrensHospital #AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing

📸: @amomentofmagicatui

🌟 Bringing Magic to Wisconsin! 🌟

We had the incredible honor of visiting Children’s Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where we transformed an ordinary hospital day into one filled with imagination, laughter, and healing play. 💫

Our Magic Makers spent time with young patients and their families crafting, storytelling, and sharing moments of connection that help reduce stress, encourage creativity, and support emotional well-being.

Psychosocial support like this isn’t just “nice to have”. It’s a critical part of care. By creating safe, joyful moments, we help kids process difficult emotions, feel less alone, and reconnect with their childhood, even in the midst of medical treatment.

To every child who let us into their world for a little while: thank you. Your bravery inspires all of us. 💙 A special thank you to the amazing staff and families at Children’s Wisconsin for welcoming us with such warmth!

#AMomentofMagic #ChildLife #PediatricCare #PsychosocialSupport #WisconsinKids #PlayThatSparksHealing

📸: @amom.marquette

On World Kindness Day, we’re reminded that sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impact. 💛

At A Moment of Magic, kindness isn’t just something we celebrate one day a year: it’s something we bring into every hospital room, every hug, and every moment of connection. It's something we infuse into every decision, every training, and every aspect of our organization. We believe that kindness, joy, connection, and community are the guiding light of our work and mission.

This sweet embrace at Prisma Health is a beautiful reminder of what happens when we lead with empathy, show up with love, and believe in the magic of being kind. ✨

Let’s keep spreading joy, one moment at a time. 💫

#WorldKindnessDay #AMomentOfMagic #KindnessIsMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing

📸: @amomentofmagicjmu

✨ Once upon A Moment of Magic visit… ✨

This magical moment was captured during one of our visits, where two royals met and shared a fairytale-worthy hug. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: to bring a little light, laughter, and love into the lives of children who need it most. 💖✨

#AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing

We had the honor of delivering Bravery Bags to the incredible patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as part of our Express, Create, Heal program. 💜

Our Bravery Bags are toolkit for healing, filled with creative materials, calming activities, and comforting essentials designed to support children’s mental and emotional well-being during treatment.

Our team of trained volunteers worked together to make this delivery extra meaningful, with a shared belief that joy, courage, and connection belong in every hospital room.

To the resilient young warriors and dedicated care teams at CHOA: thank you for letting us be a small part of your big magic. ✨

#ExpressCreateHeal #BraveryBag #ChildrensHealthcareOfAtlanta #PediatricHealing #PsychosocialSupport #AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing

We were honored to present at the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition Conference in Chapel Hill, NC. It was a space filled with heart, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving care for young cancer survivors. 💜

Our presentation focused on Express, Create, Heal, our award-winning, volunteer-led, trauma-informed mental wellness program designed specifically for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors. Through creative expression, like storytelling, drawing, and music, our workshops offer emotionally safe, empowering spaces that address critical gaps in survivorship care.

We shared early data showing promising results:
✔️ Increased emotional expression
✔️ Greater access to mental health resources
✔️ Stronger peer support networks

These findings affirm what we’ve always believed: that joy, art, and community can spark real healing. Whether in person or virtual, we’re working to expand equitable access to mental wellness support for AYAs across the country.

🖥️ Our full presentation is now linked on our website. Come take a closer look at how we're reimagining survivorship care, one creative moment at a time.

#ExpressCreateHeal #AYAOncology #PlayThatSparksHealing #PediatricCancer #SupportSurvivors #TraumaInformedCare #CreativeHealing #AMomentOfMagic #ConferenceRecap #EquityInCare #ChildhoodCancer

At the heart of every hospital visit is a simple mission: to bring light and laughter to kids who need it most. This sweet moment of arts and crafts with one of our volunteers is more than a fun activity. It’s a spark of normalcy, joy, and connection. 💛

Because even in the hospital, childhood deserves to be colorful.

#AMomentOfMagic #HealingThroughPlay #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #JoyDelivered #ArtsAndCrafts #HospitalHeroes #CreativePlay #PlayThatSparksHealing

✨What does magic look like? Sometimes it looks like a character visit, sometimes a hospital delivery and sometimes, it looks like a group of college students walking side by side, united by a mission to bring joy, healing, and human connection to children who need it most. 💛

From campus to hospital rooms, our volunteers are proof that compassion and community can rewrite the story of childhood illness and can help you find a community of changemakers that might just change your life too.

Tag a friend who’s making magic happen👇

#MomentOfMagic #VolunteerLife #CollegeChangemakers #PsychosocialSupport #PlayThatSparksHealing #AMomentofMagic #StudentVolunteers

📸: @amom.marquette

A day full of smiles at University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital! 💙

We had the joy of spending time with this incredible young patient and his ohana (and yes, Stitch was there too!).

These visits ensure that play, joy, and the healing power of connection are a part of every child's healing journey.

Whether it’s sharing a laugh, a favorite stuffed friend, or simply being present, our visits are designed to support the emotional well-being of children navigating medical challenges.

Because every child deserves a moment of magic. ✨

#ChildLife #PsychosocialSupport #PlayThatSparksHealing #UniversityofChicagoMedicine #AMomentofMagic

📸: @amomloyolachi

Today is National Stress Awareness Day — a powerful reminder that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health.

For children with critical and chronic illnesses, stress isn’t momentary. It can be an ongoing part of the treatment journey. Hospital stays, medical procedures, and uncertainty can trigger toxic stress that affects the brain, body, and spirit.

That’s why psychosocial support, emotional and mental wellness, and community are essential parts of the healing journey.

A Moment of Magic, we’re committed to delivering play-based, trauma-informed care that reduces anxiety, builds resilience, and reminds children that joy is still theirs.

We know that stress can’t be removed entirely. But it can be softened by connection, imagination, and consistent support. We can also find ways to provide skills, tools, and resources for coping and resilience through programs like Express, Create, Heal to support the mental and emotional health and wellbeing of the entire family.

On this day, let’s honor the invisible weight children and families carry and recommit to supporting it, one moment at a time.

Learn more about our mental health initiatives at amomentofmagic.org

#NationalStressAwarenessDay #PsychosocialSupport #PlayThatSparksHealing #AMomentOfMagic #ExpressCreateHeal #TraumaInformedCare #PediatricCare #ChildLife #JoyIsEssential

📸: @amomentofmagicjmu

✨ Psychosocial support isn’t extra, it’s essential. ✨

Moments like this are more than smiles. They’re evidence-based interventions that help reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation for children facing serious illness.

Through play, connection, and child-led joy, we help create spaces where children feel seen, supported, and strong, even in the midst of treatment. That’s the power of healing-centered care.

Every visit is a reminder: mental health is health.

💛 Learn more about how A Moment of Magic is supporting the emotional and mental well-being of children with critical and chronic illnesses: amomentofmagic.org

#PsychosocialSupport #PlayThatSparksHealing #PediatricCare #AMomentOfMagic #ExpressCreateHeal #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #JoyIsEssential #TraumaInformedCare

📸: @amomentofmagicatui

💛 Because of @scansource_official, magic happened at Prisma Health in South Carolina.

A huge thank you to ScanSource for their generous donation, which helped us deliver over 150 Joy Deliveries bags packed with toys, distraction items, and creative play activities, to children and their siblings during their hospital stay.

ScanSource also made it possible to provide 50 Parent Self-Care Kits, filled with hygiene and relaxation essentials to support caregivers through long, stressful days by their child’s side.

Their donation is a powerful a reminder to families that they’re not alone, that they’re seen, and that joy and care belong in every hospital room.

✨ Thank you, ScanSource, for making healing a little more magical.

#AMomentOfMagic #ScanSourceGivesBack #JoyDelivery #PrismaHealth #ChildLife #PediatricCare #PlayThatSparksHealing #CaregiverSupport #ExpressCreateHeal

📸: @amomentofmagicjmu

💫 Moments of Magic in Milwaukee 💫

Our student volunteers from AMoM Marquette recently brought joy, connection, and play-based healing to the families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin. From arts and crafts to heartfelt conversations, these moments remind us of the power of presence and the impact of showing up with kindness.

We’re so proud of our students for creating community where it’s needed most. 💛

📸: @amom.marquette

#MagicInAction #PlayThatSparksHealing #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #AMomentofMagic

Not every child can go trick-or-treating because of their medical challenges or treatment journey, but we believe every child deserves to feel the magic of Halloween. So, thanks to our amazing hospital partnerships, we bring it to them! 💛

Across the country, our Magic Makers filled hospital hallways with laughter, costumes, and creativity, turning Halloween into a celebration of courage and connection at the following hospitals and partners:

✨ UVA Children’s Hospital
✨ St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital
✨ Hackensack University Medical Center
✨ Clara Maass Medical Center
✨ Loyola Medical Children’s Hospital
✨ Kennedy Krieger Institute
✨ Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill

For children spending the holiday in the hospital, these visits are so much more than just a fun distraction. They’re a moment of normalcy, belonging, and pure childhood joy. Play has the power to heal, and when a child sees a superhero, princess, or beloved character walk through the door, you can see that spark of magic come alive.

Today, you made that magic possible for hundreds of children across the country. ✨

Happy Halloween Magic Makers! 🎃👻

#AMomentofMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

In a quiet corner of the hospital, a simple story becomes something so much more.

This is what healing through connection looks like: a shared smile, a moment of presence, and the reminder that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. 💛✨

📸: @amomloyolachi

#ExpressCreateHeal #AMomentofMagic #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #PlayThatSparksHealing #NonprofitsofInstagram #PediatricCare

In a space often filled with uncertainty, we bring what’s often needed most: presence.

This is what it means to meet a child where they are to remind them they are seen, valued, and surrounded by a community that cares deeply. 💛

Whether through conversation, creativity, or simply showing up with open hearts, our volunteers are there to spark moments of connection that support emotional healing and hope.

Learn more about how we support the emotional and mental well-being of medically vulnerable children at amomentofmagic.org

#AMomentOfMagic #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #PsychosocialSupport #PlayThatSparksHealing #ExpressCreateHeal #MagicMakers #HospitalHeroes

📸: @uncmomentofmagic

✨ Bravery is in the Bag! ✨

This fall, @amazon and A Moment of Magic have teamed up to make a nationwide impact for children facing serious illness.

Through a generous $25,000 donation, Amazon employees across the country are packing Bravery Bags — creativity-filled toolkits designed to bring comfort, courage, and healing to children battling cancer and other serious illnesses. 💛

What’s Inside a Bravery Bag:
Each Bravery Bag is part of our Express, Create, Heal program — helping children build resilience and emotional well-being through play and creativity.

Inside, you’ll find:
Art supplies & mindfulness tools to support emotional expression
Comfort items that remind each child they’re not alone
Superhero capes & creative prompts that spark imagination and confidence

Hand-packed with love by Amazon employees and delivered by our college-chapter volunteers, these bags remind every child they are brave, strong, and never alone. 💫

Across 25+ Amazon locations, employees turned compassion into action — transforming warehouses and offices into hubs of hope.

Each packing event begins with reflection, followed by hands-on volunteerism, and ends with messages of encouragement written directly to the children who will receive the bags.

This partnership is a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility can truly change lives, delivering joy, resources, and healing into the hands of children who need it most.

🌟 Want to Join the Movement?
Your company can bring the magic to life, too!
✨ Host a Bravery Bag Packing Event
✨ Write cards or make friendship bracelets
✨ Run a toy or supply drive

Together, we can turn compassion into action and create a world where every child feels brave, supported, and seen.

🔗 Learn more or become a partner: https://www.amomentofmagic.org/corporate-impact

#BraveryInTheBag #AmazonGives #MagicMakers #ExpressCreateHeal #CorporateMagic #AMoMxAmazon #AmazonGoesGold #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

📸: @amom.marquette @amomloyolachi @amomentofmagictempleu @uncmomentofmagic @amomentofmagicucla

A moment is a measurement of time lasting about 90 seconds. That's also how long it takes to make a new best friend.

#AMomentofMagic #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #PlayThatSparksHealing

📸: @amomentofmagicportland

WE ARE… FIGHTING PEDIATRIC CANCER! 🏈

Join A Moment of Magic Foundation for the Penn State vs. Ohio State Watch Party on Friday, November 1 at noon at Franklin’s (53 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA)!

💙 Cheer for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Fight for the kids. Win big.

We’re raffling off:
🎟️ A signed Dom DeLuca Penn State jersey
🎟️ A signed Drew Aller Penn State jersey
🎟️ Tickets to the Penn State vs. Nebraska game!

🎟️ Raffle tickets: $10 via Venmo @amomentofmagic

We’re also selling a limited edition Game Day Tee: “We Are Fighting Pediatric Cancer” (front) + “Cancer doesn’t stand a chance... neither does your team. For the Glory. For the Kids. A Moment of Magic” (back)

✨ Order yours at amomentofmagic.org/shop and use code PICKUP for event pickup or via venmo for $25!

100% of the proceeds help support the work of A Moment of Magic, a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of play to spark joy, foster connection, reduce isolation and support the mental health and emotional healing for medically vulnerable children and their families. 💛

#WeAre #PennState #ForTheKids #ForTheGlory #FightPediatricCancer #AMomentOfMagic #PennStateFootball #GameDayForGood #THON #GoState

Huge thanks to our incredible partners at @golin.health for helping us pack and donate dozens of Bravery Bags, giving children comfort, tools for emotional expression, and a little extra joy during difficult days.

Thanks to your support, we were able to deliver these Bravery Bags during a recent Express, Create, Heal program at @nyphospital , helping children explore creativity and coping through play-based mental health strategies.

Every Bravery Bag packed is a tangible reminder that these children are not alone and that healing happens through joy, expression, and community.

✨ Want to get your company involved? Learn how to create lasting impact at amomentofmagic.org/corporate-impact

#AMomentofMagic #ExpressCreateHeal #BraveryBags #CorporateImpact #GolinHealth #PlayThatSparksHealing #BraveStrongFearless #PsychosocialSupport #MagicMakers

✨Double the princesses, double the magic!✨

During a recent home visit, one of our amazing AMoM Stars met her favorite character, while dressed as her, too! The joy, confidence, and spark in this moment is what it’s all about: helping every child see themselves as brave, strong, and magical.

Because when children feel seen, they feel powerful.
Because joy isn’t extra, it’s essential.
Because this is a moment of magic. 💖

💫 Learn more or get involved at amomentofmagic.org

#AMomentofMagic #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #PlayThatSparksHealing #MagicMakers #BraveStrongFearless

✨ Exploring big feelings through little moments. 🩺💜

At A Moment of Magic, we believe in the power of play to help children process the world around them, especially when that world includes hospitals, procedures, and uncertainty. Medical play gives kids the tools to explore, understand, and express their experiences in a way that feels safe, empowering, and even fun.

Here, our volunteer character brings a touch of magic to a child’s healing journey, letting them take the lead with a toy stethoscope in hand and bravery in their heart.

Because when kids are encouraged to ask questions, pretend, and practice, they’re not just playing. They’re reclaiming a sense of control, confidence, and comfort.

💫 Join us in building spaces where joy, imagination, and healing meet: at amomentofmagic.org

#AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing #MagicMakers #BraveStrongFearless

During a recent visit to the Ronald McDonald House, one of our volunteers shared a moment of pure connection with a new friend.

At A Moment of Magic, we believe that joy is healing. That showing up, listening closely, and celebrating kids exactly as they are can spark confidence. Every interaction is rooted in compassion, representation, and hope. This moment was no exception.

💛 Want to bring more moments like this to life? Join us at amomentofmagic.org

#AMomentOfMagic #PlayThatSparksHealing #MagicMakers #RonaldMcDonaldHouse #BraveStrongFearless

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Our Team

Connect with our team below to learn more about how AMOM OSU could bring magic to your day!

Emily Lasso-Haer

Chapter President

Emily Pfarrer

Magic Experience Coordinator

Ansley Wilson

Training Coordinator

Jess Chivini

Treasurer and Fundraising Chair

Our Programs

WhatWeDo

Magic Makers
Character Program

Our flagship program brings beloved characters to children as part of trauma-informed, play-based healing. Magic Makers—trained in child development, emotional regulation, and dignity-centered care—collaborate with hospital teams and caregivers to reduce anxiety, foster joy, and support each child's circle of care.

Express, Create, Heal
Targeted Intervention Program

Express, Create, Heal is a peer-led, trauma-informed program for children affected by cancer, developed with mental health professionals to address grief, anxiety, identity, and more. Through storytelling and creative expression, children ages 3 to 18 engage in guided activities that foster belonging and emotional resilience during a time of profound upheaval.

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AMoM Unlimited
Virtual Programming

AMoM Unlimited is a free, on-demand digital library designed for medically vulnerable children who can’t receive in-person visits. With storytimes, themed activities, and uplifting videos led by trained volunteers, the program delivers play-based healing anywhere—removing barriers and ensuring every child can access the magic.

Learn more

More Ways to Give

Shop Our Wishlist

Help us deliver joy directly by purchasing supplies and gifts for children and volunteers.
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Support our GoFundMe

Your donation helps A Moment of Magic reach more children in the Columbus area with joy-filled visits and healing-centered programs.
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Explore Corporate Partnership

Join forces with us to create lasting impact through sponsorship, employee engagement, or cause marketing.

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Prefer to give offline? Mail a check or money order and make a meaningful impact. LEARN MORE

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Get Involved with AMoM
at The Ohio State University

New to AMoM? We're so excited you're here. As a volunteer, you’ll have the chance to create real impact in children’s lives and grow in leadership, empathy, and confidence along the way.

Whether you’re interested in joining as a character or Magic Maker, there’s a place for you in our chapter.
Already a volunteer? This is your hub for everything you need to thrive in your role — from training to scheduling to leadership development.

Rosterfy - AMoM Volunteer Portal

Sign for visits, log volunteer hours, access trainings, and stay connected

Join our Slack Community

Stay in the loop with updates, announcements, and peer support

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A Moment of Magic at The Ohio State University