College Chapter Magazine

Fall 2014

New York City's Empire State Building in shades of

yellow in April 2014 in celebration of Project
Sunshine Week.

Our College and Medical School Chapters Across the Country!

New Chapters in 2014!

Albany Medical College

Arizona State University
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Duke University
Florida State University
Fordham University
Northeastern University
Queens College
Robert Wood Johnson Medical
School
St. Johns University
UC Irvine
University of Buffalo Medical School
University at Albany

INSIDE:
Map of Chapters

How Chapters Spread Their

Sunshine

National Volunteer Appreciation

Month

Fundraising Campaigns

The Caregiver Wellness Program

World of Project Sunshine!

Meet the Sunshine Interns!

IMPACT Conference and

Testimonials

Albany Medical College

Amherst College
Arizona State University
Baruch University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
The City College of New York
Columbia University
Columbia University College of P&S
Cornell University
Duke University
Emory University
Florida State University
Fordham University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Hofstra University
Hunter College
Icahn School of Medicine
Iona College
Ithaca College
Lehman College
New York Medical College
New York University
Northeastern University

Queens College
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Rutgers University
Sam Houston State University
St. Josephs College
St. Johns University
Stony Brook University
Texas A&M University
Texas State University
Union College
University at Albany
University of Arizona
University of Buffalo School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Irvine
University of Delaware
University of Louisville
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts Medical School
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Washington - Seattle
Wagner College
Washington University in St. Louis
Yeshiva University

*Click on the blue schools to see their Facebook & social media pages!

The University of Miami provides amazing Party Time

programs for the kids. In the Spring, they created a
Disney Carnival for Holtz Childrens Hospital.

Ithaca College works towards a greater goal through fun and often
collaborative activities: knitting and crocheting. The main activity
that Ithaca focuses on is providing hospitals with requested
handmade objects, such as hats, blankets and booties.

Sam Houston State in Texas holds Park Days

throughout the school year. This is a shot from
one event this past May. This chapter is one of
the largest in the country and holds numerous
events and fundraisers throughout the year.

National Volunteer Month began in 1974 when President Nixon

signed an executive order establishing the month as an annual
celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a
proclamation promoting National Volunteer Month.
Thanks to all of you, Project Sunshine keeps on shining!!
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After having a bad day, going to Project Sunshine just made everything
better. I am always amazed and inspired by these children!- Stephanie
Moss, Iona College

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Check out Stony Brook

Universitys awesome
Masquerade Ball from
this past semester here!

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Fundraiser of the Semester:

University of New Hampshire: Red Sox Raffle

Buy a pair of good seats to a sports event. For example, a Red Sox
baseball game. UNH bought their tickets at $60 each.
Make a raffle kit for your volunteers including a flyer of Project Sunshines mission, and any other information needed about your chapter and fundraiser.
Create a form to keep track of who you sell the raffle tickets to, and
how many tickets you have sold.
Create a quarter thank you page with Project Sunshine's mission
statement again, and pair it with the raffle ticket in an envelope to
give to the buyer.
Sell each raffle ticket at $1 each, and even play with a set of tickets.
For example, 10 tickets are $5, and so on.
Give your volunteers three weeks to sell tickets. During a break is
best because you can include your family and friends from home!

UNH raised $1,406!!!

i
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The Project Sunshine Caregiver Wellness Program is intended to offer fun and
relaxation to the caregivers of pediatric patients. Caregivers are often hidden
patients themselves because of the demanding work they do in caring for
their children, which can result in reduced attention to their own health and
well-being. Through a series of relaxing activities, this Caregiver Wellness
Program offers caregivers relief from their tension and stress and the chance to
have some fun in the hospital environment. When caregivers take care of
themselves, they are better able to take care of their children.
Check in with your Chapter Leader about hosing a Caregiver Event!

Caregiver Craft Kit challenge

is this November!

Scrabb
l

e Coas

ters

BEIJING, CHINA
Project Sunshine launched its international program in Beijing,
China in February 2008. The children we serve range from
infancy to 21-years-old, coming from all types of family
backgrounds and different areas of
China. Our volunteers are students
from the Social Work and Sociology
Department of China Womens
University .
Through interactive games, arts and
crafts activities, nutritional cooking and
educational reading, Project Sunshine
not only brings cutting-edge programs, but also pioneers a new
approach within the traditional pediatric setting of China,
where overwhelming attention is paid mostly to the medical
treatment, and the childrens emotional and social needs are
often neglected.

CANADA

ISRAEL
Project Sunshine Israel launched programming in
February, 2008 with one volunteer chapter. Today,
Projects Sunshine volunteers bring educational,
recreational and arts programming annually to 13,000
hospitalized children .
In recognition of its
meaningful work, Project
Sunshine Israel has
appeared in The Marker,
the Israeli business
newspaper affiliated with
Haaretz. Television
coverage followed. Both
have increased volunteer
and hospital interest in
Project Sunshine Israel.

KENYA

Based in Toronto, Ontario,

Project Sunshine Canada
serves children at ten
facilities in Toronto and
beyond.

Project Sunshine Canadas Young Patrons Circle is

comprised of 21 dynamic and dedicated young
professionals from in and around Toronto. They share a
similar passion for the important work of Project Sunshine
in providing ongoing support to children facing medical
challenges and their families.

In 2006 Project Sunshine launched an international initiative

at Bomu Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya to address issues of
access to medical care, stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and
social support for pediatric patients and their families.
Project Sunshines innovative new pilot program, the
Healthy Living Initiative is designed to prevent malaria and
diarrhea (both life-threatening conditions in this vulnerable
pediatric population) while also further fostering adherence
and expanding health education.
The Project Sunshine Healthy Living
Initiative fills an important gap in HIV/
AIDS prevention and care, by
integrating clean water treatment,
hand washing, malaria prevention
tools, behavior change and home visits
into an existing pediatric HIV/AIDS
framework.

Personal Growth-Lifelong learning includes hands-on experiences as a volunteer which can teach you about issues
ranging from adult literacy to public health to animal welfare. Don't forget that sometimes it just feels good to be
valued; as a volunteer you can contribute unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. For example, you might be great
at using online sites like Facebook.
Many organizations are looking to branch out into social networking to help connect with new audiences; as a
volunteer, you can be the in-house expert to get them started.
Career Exploration- Volunteering introduces you to new career paths and options. This is a chance to become more
familiar to a particular role in a workplace, office culture, or cause.
Skill Development- Volunteering helps you learn new skills, use existing skills in new ways, and helps you keep these
skills sharp.
Networking- Never underestimate the power of networking; volunteering offers the opportunity to cross pathsas well
as, in many cases, quickly bondwith people from across your community, including many with whom you may
otherwise not have had contact. In addition to professional networking, volunteering can be a fun, meaningful way to
make new friends.
Making a Difference- Volunteering is one of the best ways we know of to make a difference in your community.
Whatever your passion, however you get involved, volunteering offers a way to have a real and lasting impact on the
world.
Resources-Click on one for more info!
Idealist.com
World Volunteer Web
Corporation for
National and
Community Service

Volunteering with pediatric patients as a Project

Sunshine Chapter Leader has trained me to note
the many physical and emotional needs of
patients. I worked with my fellow volunteers to
eliminate each childs isolation and replace it with
hope and friendship through creative outlets.
Some children are smiling for the first time in weeks, especially as
we focused on them, not their illnesses. While medicines primary
focus is to relieve suffering, Project Sunshine has showed me that
providing for a childs personal growth and development is an
integral part of the best, most comprehensive care. Working with
Project Sunshine as a Chapter Leader and as a summer intern,
highlighted the humanism in medicine and refined my ability to
empathize and connect on a deeper level with those facing adverse
conditions. I hope to use my medical education at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine and my experiences with Project
Sunshine to become a part of the committed support system of
teachers, families and doctors that work to minimize medical
challenges faced by children with developmental disabilities.
- Emilie Transue, Former Rutgers University Chapter Leader

Meghan Amorosa- Senior Intern

Hometown: Warren, New Jersey
School Attending: Bank Street College
Future Goals: To become a Certified Child Life Specialist!
Most exciting thing that happened to you last year: Graduating from
Georgetown and moving to New York.
Favorite Quote: Be who you are and say what you feel because those who
mind dont matter and those who matter dont mind. Dr. Seuss
Craziest/exotic place you have ever been: Iceland!

Lauren Valletutti- Senior Intern

Hometown: Dallas, Texas- YEEHAW!
Future Goals: Speech Therapist at a childrens hospital
Last Song I Listened to: Coffee by Sylvan Esso
Fun Fact: I am a trained dancer and singer. Yes, a musical
theatre kid. :)
Favorite Cartoon: Jessica Rabbit!

Ryann Wenke- Intern

Hometown: New Windsor, New York
Future Goals: Attend grad school, find a job I love, and have a family.
Last song I listened to: Rather Be by Clean Bandit
Favorite Food: Guacamole!
Favorite Quote: So long as you can sweeten anothers pain, life is not in
vain. Helen Keller

Elizabeth Reichwald- Intern

Hometown: Queens, New York
School Attending: Hunter College
Fun Fact: I never learned how to ride a bike
Most exotic place I have ever been: Israel
Favorite Quote: Ive never let schooling get in the way of my education.Mark Twain

Emily Lyons- Intern

Hometown: Brockton, Massachusetts
School Attending: Pace University
Last song I played: At Last -Etta James
Fun Fact: I love to paint!
Most exotic place Ive ever been: A small village in the mountains of
Panama, Chiriqui!

Mursalin Binte Monnaf- Intern

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
School Attending: City College of the City University of New York
Future Goals: Earn my MA in Sociology and aim for PhD, and see myself
in a non-profit board/organization
Fun Fact: I can write in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics!!!
Most exotic place Ive ever been:
Disneyland- By far the best place I have ever
been to!

Cara Seltzer- Intern

Hometown: Great Neck, New York
School Attending: Barnard College
Favorite Food: Artichokes
Fun Fact: I can take a nap at any time of the day and in any place
Last Song I played: Demons by Imagine Dragons

Join the Project Sunshine College Team this Winter at.

The IMPACT Conference is historically the largest annual conference focused on the civic engagement of college students in
community service, service-learning, community-based research, advocacy and other forms of social action.
JOIN US for 3 action packed days full of workshops and seminars on leadership development, volunteer management, and
civic engagement.

February 19 - 22, 2015

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Keynote Speaker Announcement

Robert Egger, founder of the DC Central Kitchen and
LA Central Kitchen will be kicking the conference off

Register Now!

Conference Schedule
Click HERE to view the current conference schedule

Project Sunshine is inviting all

58 college chapters to represent Project Sunshine at the IMPACT Conference this year!

All Project Sunshine Chapter Leaders, E-board members and active volunteers are invited to attend!

Why would you want to go??

- Network with other like-minded student leaders from around the country
- Attend professional development and leadership development workshops

Develop Leadership Skills

- Meet other Project Sunshine student leaders and represent Project Sunshine at national student leadership conference!!!

Are you interested in learning more about the IMPACT Conference? Would you like to learn innovative ways to fundraise?
Do you want to learn networking skills and ways you can take full advantage of IMPACT?
Join Tara from the National Project Sunshine office for an interactive 30 minute video conference on Zoom:

Friday, November 7th @ 2pm EST

Meet other Project Sunshine volunteers interested in the conference and get all your questions answered!
Please RSVP to tara@projectsunshine.org by Monday, November 3rd
If you are unable to make it but still have questions feel free to contact Tara at anytime!

Graduation Ideas!

Graduating?
Have your seniors graduate with some Sunshine Style!
The University of Delaware had their own graduation cords
in honor of Project Sunshine!
Become part of this great tradition this Spring!

Here the University of Louisville decorated

and painted a wagon full of sunshine to
donate to a local hospital in their community!

Intern at Project Sunshine during and/or after college!

If you are graduating this spring and want to stay involved with Project
Sunshine, join one of our many community chapters across the country!
Click here to find out more about becoming a community volunteer.

Upcoming Events
Fall 2014

Caregiver Craft Kit competition- November

Photo Competition- Monthly
Sunny the Surgi Doll!- Ongoing

Spring 2015

IMPACT Conference- February 19-22

Social Work Month and Child Life Specialist Month- March
Volunteer Appreciation Month- April

www.ProjectSunshine.org

Mariko@projectsunshine.org

www.facebook.com/ProjectSunshineUSA

www.Twitter.com/ProjectSunshine

www.instagram.com/ProjectSunshine or @ProjectSunshine