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A Moment of Magic
at The University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA
Meet A Moment of Magic at The University of Iowa
A Moment of Magic Iowa (UI) 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 eastern Iowa area since 2020 by engaging students at The University of Iowa. Together, we bring moments of magic, hope, and healing to children when they need it most.
Give Today. Change a Child’s Tomorrow.
Your donation supports local hospital visits and mental health programming led by UI volunteers. All gifts made here stay with the Iowa chapter to support children in the surrounding community.
Our Supporters
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.
"Thank you so much for the incredible visit for my son. It completely perked up my son who had been laying in bed all day with no energy and nauseous from chemo. He couldn’t stop talking about it after they left and he was so happy. It was so great to see the joy on his face! It was an extra surprise they brought presents for him and it was so great to see him so happy and for him to just have a break from thinking about how awful and tired he feels all the time from chemo. The characters were so great with him and even had the star wars lingo down pat. All the volunteers were so nice and it was such an awesome visit. We appreciate everything you did for our son. Thank you!"
Parent
"These volunteers made more than just the children’s day, they truly touched the hearts of us all. Thank you for the amazing selfless acts you all do on a daily basis to make the lives of others amazing."
Amy Gardner, Security at Davison Avenue School
"We had an amazing visit from our friends at A Moment of Magic Temple University! We adored these sweet princesses and we haven’t seen our daughter so full of energy and joy in a while."
Arianna Leonard, Mom
Ana Laura Leyser
Chapter President
Anna Kalmar
Vice President
Emily Armstrong
Treasurer
Hannah DeVore
Fundraising Chair
Our Programs
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.
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.
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 greater Iowa City 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.
Get Involved with AMoM
at The University of Iowa
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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.
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Already a volunteer? This is your hub for everything you need to thrive in your role — from training to scheduling to leadership development.
Sign for visits, log volunteer hours, access trainings, and stay connected
Stay in the loop with updates, announcements, and peer support
Join our email list to stay up to date on all the magic.