Category Archives: Arts and Culture

Healing through Play: Only Make Believe’s Interactive Theater Bringing Joy to Children in Hospitals

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In the challenging world of pediatric healthcare, where young patients face not only physical ailments but also emotional stress, the power of interactive theater is proving to be a transformative force. Only Make Believe, a remarkable organization dedicated to bringing joy and distraction to children in hospitals, has been at the forefront of this movement. Through the magic of live performances and interactive theater, Only Make Believe is making a significant impact on the lives of young patients, fostering resilience and hope during difficult times.

The Healing Power of Play:

Children, by nature, are curious, imaginative, and full of energy. However, when illness strikes and hospitalization becomes a reality, these qualities can be overshadowed by fear and discomfort. This is where the unique approach of interactive theater becomes a beacon of light. Only Make Believe understands that play is not only a means of entertainment but also a powerful tool for healing.

Interactive theater engages children in a dynamic and participatory way, encouraging them to explore their creativity and emotions.

Through storytelling, music, and interactive activities, the organization creates an environment where young patients can momentarily escape the confines of the hospital and embark on imaginative journeys. The transformative power of play allows children to experience a sense of normalcy and joy, crucial elements for their mental and emotional well-being.

Only Make Believe’s Mission:

Only Make Believe was founded in 1999 by Dena Hammerstein, inspired by her belief in the healing power of theater. The organization’s mission is to bring interactive theater and creative arts to chronically ill and disabled children in hospitals and care facilities. By partnering with professional actors and artists, Only Make Believe designs and performs interactive plays that cater to the unique needs of each child and their specific medical condition.

The Heart of the Program:

What sets Only Make Believe apart is the personalized and interactive nature of its performances. Trained actors visit hospitals armed with scripts that allow them to adapt to the needs and preferences of each child. The children become the stars of the show, with the actors incorporating their suggestions and even enlisting them as characters in the play.

The Only Make Believe actors bring a trunk full of costume pieces (hats, caps, masks, scarves and other pieces) and props. Children participate by creating characters and choosing their favorite costume.

In one example of an interactive play, an actor playing a Space Detective works with the children to solve a mystery – finding a lost key to a gold storage room somewhere in space!

At the end of the show, the children get to keep their costumes and can continue to play with them and wear them whenever they want.

The interactive theater program not only serves as a welcome distraction but also fosters a sense of empowerment among the young patients. Through the magic of storytelling, the children are transported to fantastical worlds where they can be anything they want, if only for a little while. This experience goes beyond entertainment; it provides an emotional outlet and a sense of control that is often lacking in a hospital setting.

Volunteering:

My co-worker, Alla, and I volunteered at Only Make Believe’s New York City headquarters one afternoon to help create caps and masks that would be used during the shows. We also looked through existing costume parts and props to fix anything that needed fixing and also to add jewels, colorful bobbins and lace, and other “bling” to existing costumes. It was a chance to get to learn about the organization and also to add creative fun to our day!

The volunteer coordinators explained everything we needed to know about working with the costumes and props. Glue, lace, jewels, glitter, markers, paint and all sorts of craft supplies were available for us to use and we were encouraged to let our imaginations roam!

We volunteered in person at their NYC headquarters. They also have a headquarters in Washington DC. You can also volunteer as a group remotely from anywhere. They’ll send you all the supplies and instructions and you can host your own costume collective design and creation event! Participants will be creating one-of-a-kind masks, hats and tutus – costumes children will use during the performances, and which they keep afterwards.

It is a great teambuilding activity for all ages! Great for corporate events, team activities, school activities, family reunions, etc. Any age can participate (young children with parental oversight).

No sewing or artistic talent required! Just the willingness to create something colorful and imaginative.

Impact and Success Stories:

The impact of Only Make Believe’s work is evident in the countless success stories that have emerged from their programs. Children who may have been reluctant to engage in other therapeutic activities find solace and joy in the interactive theater experience. Parents and healthcare professionals alike have noted improvements in mood, decreased anxiety, and increased cooperation among the young participants.

The organization’s commitment to inclusivity is another aspect that sets it apart. Only Make Believe recognizes the diverse needs of the children it serves, tailoring performances to be accessible to those with various physical and cognitive abilities. This dedication to inclusivity ensures that every child, regardless of their medical condition, can benefit from the healing power of interactive theater.

Conclusion:

In the world of pediatric healthcare, where resilience and hope are as crucial as medical interventions, Only Make Believe stands as a shining example of the transformative impact of interactive theater.

By bringing the magic of storytelling and play to children in hospitals, the organization is not just providing entertainment but also contributing to the emotional and mental well-being of these young patients.

As Only Make Believe continues to expand its reach and touch the lives of more children, it serves as a beacon of light, proving that in the face of illness, there is always room for joy, creativity, and the healing power of play.

To learn more about Only Make Believe, make a donation, or to volunteer, please check out their website at Only Make Believe

XO XO – – Penny

Service, Friendship, and Learning on Sacred Land

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Returning to the Blackfeet Reservation (Montana)

Some volunteer experiences stay with you long after you leave. Others call you back.

For the second year, I returned to the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and once again, it reminded me how service is about so much more than the work itself… it’s about relationships, respect, and learning from the communities you serve.

The Blackfeet Reservation is breathtakingly beautiful. Wide open skies, mountains in the distance, and land that carries deep meaning for the Amskapi Piikani people, part of the broader Blackfoot Confederacy that spans the U.S.–Canadian border.

Their connection to their ancestral lands and the natural world is powerful and deeply rooted in tradition.

This year, I volunteered again with FAST Blackfeet, an organization doing meaningful work to strengthen community well-being and food access.

One of the places I most love volunteering is the Ō’yō’·ṗ’ Food Pantry, which is part of FAST Blackfeet’s broader effort to increase food security and promote food sovereignty across the Nation.

Their work includes three comprehensive programs:

• Ō’yō’·ṗ’ Food Pantry — Providing essential food support and combating food insecurity
• Nutrition Education — Helping rebuild traditional food knowledge and address diet-related health disparities
• Growing Health — Encouraging the production of local and traditional foods and medicines, helping reclaim food sovereignty

The food pantry is more than a place to distribute groceries. It’s a place of connection. Volunteers and community members work side by side, sharing stories, laughter, and purpose.

During the week, we also volunteered at the local retirement home, working in the kitchen to help prepare meals for residents. There is something deeply meaningful about preparing food for elders. A quiet act of care that connects generations.

Another memorable moment came when we helped clean up a cemetery on the reservation. Cows had broken through a damaged fence and caused disruption to the grounds, and volunteers came together to restore the space with care and respect. It was physical work, but it carried emotional weight, honoring those who came before.

We stayed in a local church during the week, sharing meals, stories, and laughter with fellow volunteers. One of the greatest joys of returning this year was reconnecting with friends I made during my first visit. What began as shared service has grown into lasting friendships. The kind that feel rooted in something deeper than time.

Beyond the volunteer work, one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience was learning about Blackfeet culture. Community members were incredibly open, generous, and proud to share their traditions and stories. Their willingness to educate visitors about their heritage was a gift. One that added depth and meaning to every moment of service.

Two of my now good friends, Bob Tailfeathers and Daniel Whippert, went out of their way to share Blackfeet culture, medicines, traditions, etc. They were both so generous!

We also learned how to make Indian tacos from the local recipe and learned about special herbs and recipes.

Returning to the Blackfeet Nation reminded me that volunteering is not just about helping, it’s about listening, learning, and honoring the people and places you encounter.

Each visit leaves me with gratitude for the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the opportunity to contribute, even in small ways, to communities that welcome volunteers with open hearts.

Experiences like this are why my #52WeeksOfCharity journey continues to shape who I am, not just as a volunteer, but as a person.

Some places you visit once.
Some places become part of your story.

The Blackfeet Nation has become part of mine.

Art and Climate Solutions in Urban Areas: Earth Celebrations in NYC

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As the global climate crisis intensifies, urban areas are increasingly becoming the focal points for innovative solutions that address environmental challenges. In the heart of New York City, Earth Celebrations stands out as a beacon of hope, leveraging the power of art to promote sustainability, community engagement, and climate solutions. This organization has been at the forefront of creative initiatives that not only raise awareness about environmental issues but also actively contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

Art as a Catalyst for Change:

Earth Celebrations recognizes the unique ability of art to transcend boundaries and communicate complex issues in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. By harnessing the creative energies of artists, the organization aims to inspire action and foster a sense of shared responsibility for the environment. Through a variety of artistic mediums such as public art installations, performances, and community events, Earth Celebrations seeks to engage the public in a dialogue about the urgent need for climate solutions.

Community Involvement and Collaboration:

One of Earth Celebrations’ key strengths lies in its emphasis on community involvement. The organization works closely with local communities, artists, environmentalists, and policymakers to create projects that are not only visually stunning but also rooted in the specific needs and concerns of the neighborhoods they serve. By fostering collaboration, Earth Celebrations encourages a sense of ownership among community members, empowering them to actively participate in the development and implementation of climate solutions.

Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions:

Earth Celebrations has spearheaded numerous projects that showcase the intersection of art and environmental activism. One noteworthy initiative is the “Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions” event, an annual procession through the Lower East Side of Manhattan, along the waterfront. This vibrant parade brings together artists, activists, and community members to celebrate the neighborhood’s ecological achievements and advocate for sustainable practices. The event serves as a platform for showcasing local initiatives, such as community gardens, renewable energy projects, and waste reduction programs.

This year the theatrical pageant/procession included 21 sustainability site performance celebrating the initiatives that focused on solutions to mitigate impacts of flooding and sea-level rise, decrease waste, and improve water quality and conservation.

9 months of educational research, design and planning sessions engaged residents, schools and organizations to collaborate with Earth Celebrations’ artists-in-residence and environmental experts to explore neighborhood sites, learn about climate solution initiatives including green infrastructure design to mitigate flooding, pollution run-off and reduce carbon and global warming and develop visual art and performance works.

The artistic works created through the months of creative collaboration and partnership building workshops are presented in the Ecological City Procession for Climate Solutions in May. The theatrical pageant features a procession of spectacular visual art, giant puppets and costumes with 21 site performances of dance, music, theater and poetry, exploring climate challenges and solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood and East River Park waterfront.

Green Infrastructure Advocacy:

In addition to its artistic endeavors, Earth Celebrations actively promotes the integration of green infrastructure in urban planning. Recognizing the importance of sustainable urban design, the organization advocates for the implementation of green roofs, rooftop bee farming, vertical farming, solar gazebos, pollinator gardens, community gardens, and other nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By incorporating these elements into the urban fabric, Earth Celebrations aims to enhance resilience, reduce the urban heat island effect, and improve overall environmental quality.

Education and Outreach:

Earth Celebrations recognizes that meaningful change begins with education. The organization conducts workshops, lectures, and educational programs to inform the public about the interconnectedness of art, community, and the environment. By fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues, Earth Celebrations empowers individuals to make informed choices and actively contribute to sustainable practices in their daily lives.

Volunteering:

I volunteered with teams of volunteers and artists in creating some of the costumes that would be used in the procession in May. Artists using textile as materials and metaphor to explore the relationship between textiles, community, and sustainability.

For these particular volunteer shifts our teams worked with artist Yohanna M Roa, a visual artist, curator and art historian with a feminist-decentralized approach to her art. Our goal was to create a series of nature-inspired outfits from recycled materials and other objects, which would be worn in the parade. We spent the time sewing, gluing and designing. It was exciting to see her vision come to life! 

Many of the volunteers traveled far distances to participate in the events and there was continuous lively discussion around textile works as a vehicle for social commentary and memory, and how textile art (sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.) traditionally has been associated with domesticity and femininity and thus was not as valued or accepted as a production of knowledge. Yet around the world and throughout history, sewing, quilting, and embroidery have been outlets for women to use their creativity and create social/political commentary in a socially-acceptable way. We also discussed the role textile art played in American history.

It was an exciting and inspiring volunteer opportunity!

Conclusion:

Earth Celebrations in NYC exemplifies the transformative power of art in driving climate solutions in urban areas. By blending creativity with community engagement and advocating for green infrastructure, the organization serves as a model for how the arts can inspire positive change. As cities grapple with the challenges of climate change, Earth Celebrations stands as a testament to the potential of art to catalyze meaningful environmental action and create a more sustainable and resilient future.

To learn more about Earth ` and their Art & Climate Solution Action Project titled Ecological City, please visit Earth Celebrations and ECOLOGICAL CITY – Art & Climate Solutions Action Project · Earth Celebrations

XO XO  – Penny

Preserving History through Digital Transcription

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Volunteering with the Smithsonian Digital Transcription Center was an interesting and educational experience that allowed me to help preserve historical records. The Smithsonian created this program so volunteers, called “volunpeers,” can work together to transcribe handwritten documents into searchable digital text. Since the program began in 2013, volunteers have helped transcribe over a million pages of materials, including field notes, diaries, manuscripts, photo albums, and specimen labels.

One aspect I enjoyed about this activity was the ability to choose projects that matched my interests. The website offers general categories such as mysteries of the universe, women’s history, and world cultures, as well as projects connected to specific Smithsonian museums and archives, such as the National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art. There is also a “new projects” section where volunteers can find recently added materials to work on.

I carefully read handwritten historical documents and typed the text into a digital format. Before starting you have to watch a tutorial that trains you on the specific process to follow.

The activity required patience and attention to detail because older handwriting can sometimes be difficult to read. It was fun to think that my contributions could help make these historical materials easier for researchers, students, and the public to access in the future. After transcription, other volunteers reviewed the work to make sure the text was correct. Peer review!

What I enjoyed most about volunteering with the Smithsonian Digital Transcription Center was the opportunity to interact with real historical materials. There were many really interesting documents to look through. It felt like stepping into the past and helping preserve stories that might otherwise remain difficult to access.

I also appreciated that this work allowed me to do the activity from anywhere and contribute to museums and archives. It is a great activity to de-stress and it’s easy to fit it into busy lives.

This experience helped me understand how technology and teamwork can protect important pieces of history. By participating in digital transcription, I contributed to preserving knowledge and making it available to a wider audience.

Volunteering with the Smithsonian inspired me to value historical preservation and recognize the importance of making information accessible for future generations.

Interested in transcribing? Check out:

https://transcription.si.edu

The Powerful Possibilities of Community

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Volunteering at the Actors Theatre Workshop in NYC

Human beings are storytellers. We use language, behavior, and actions to tell stories about who we are, what we believe, and what it means to be human. Live theater taps into the human need for storytelling in a way that provides experience in community. It nourishes collective imagination and inspiration. The actors and the audience create and experience a special reality together during the performance.

For Thurman E Scott the theater is both a place and a philosophy. His extensive experience on stage and in film as actor, producer, and director, awakened an indefatigable drive to develop new, unique, creative approaches to artistic theater which moved beyond a temporary shared experience and into an active, meaningful role within the community at large. His goal – – to open up creative problem-solving and drive positive change in communities.

He started working with incarcerated prisoners in several NY State prisons, developing and teaching creative expression techniques. What he found was flourishing imagination and new perspectives for possibility opening amongst the participants. New ways of expression and conflict resolution.

In order to expand on that experience, he founded the Actor’s Theatre Workshop in NYC, a non-profit organization where he has developed new, original techniques for students to write and perform their own work, focusing the creative process and the principles of drama towards dialog, expression, and conflict resolution of key personal and community challenges.

The programs provide individuals the tools to fulfill their potential through studying his original theatre and education techniques, then utilize that potential to imagine and bring to life changes within themselves and the community.

One of the programs includes Builders of the New World – an award-winning program created especially for homeless children dealing with the tremendous instability of living in temporary housing facilities. Over 29,000 homeless children currently live in New York City. Each are dealing with the critical issues of instability, transience, and lack of basic services and needs. The program is free for the children.

They learn to create original theater with new material and during that process they learn coping mechanisms as well as techniques with which to develop creative action. It teaches them to express themselves in meaningful ways, improves their reading, writing, and presentation skills, and promotes participation in the Democratic process of debate and dialog, leading to measurable personal, academic and professional success. It also builds hope by teaching them to push into their imagination and write about their visions for the future, then consider how to bring them to life. It’s a multi-class program and students are fed a hearty meal with each session.

Another of the Theatre’s programs, developed by Thurman Scott, is Life Stories for Veterans – a writing and performance program for veterans of the US military which gives them the opportunity to tell their stories through the creative, dramatic process, and share them with members of the community. In evening and weekend classes, veterans of all ages study the Theatre’s original writing technique and then write stories about the power of their unique experiences and journey. As the participants share their work in final performance, the audience gains important insights and the veterans experience their place in society being upheld and supported.

I was at the Theatre early in January as part of a team of volunteers cleaning up and packing away all the end of year holiday decorations and props and getting the facility ready for the new year’s activities.

We were greeted by the volunteer staff who gave us a tour of the facility and shared lots of information about the Theatre and the unique processes. We also watched a video sharing many scenes of various events, activities, and workshops.

Walking around the facility, it was easy to be inspired through the student-created stories and art, as well as the various props, awards, and artwork. It was an inspiring creative space.

The Theatre also holds acting courses and creative expression exploration workshops for various levels. A sign declares, “The first steps to do anything in life are to liberate the limitless possibilities that exist in every human being.”

The workshops are designed to challenge participants to move into imagination and become open to new perspectives. With training, the participant’s intuition and imagination start working together, creating a focus on possibility (not limited by pre-existing bias or belief). Liberating potential and opening up possibility. People can then respond to challenges and issues imaginatively, emotionally, and inspirationally. They are no longer locked in the confines of the factual intellect, but instead have the full range of creative intellect, with new insights.

The Theatre often works with business groups as well. They recognize members of the business community are often paralyzed or held into existing situations thinking they must maintain the structure that currently exists – one which upholds the collective status quo. This is because there is fear of change and an inability to see viable new possibilities. It is often not a natural part of business day to day to look for, probe, and try new expressions. The Theatre programs help to unlock that thinking and explore new possibilities in a safe, communal environment that can then translate out into real-world change.

The organization has an extensive volunteer program – from helping at events and courses/programs to marketing, design, video editing, carpentry, lighting, etc. If you have any passions or interests around theatre, theatre production, teaching expression, etc. – – there is a volunteer opportunity available!

The Theatre also holds monthly open mic nights, often with topics related to current events. Live theater is a perfect place to share conflicting viewpoints because they are expressed between characters on a stage and the audience does not feel threatened by it. Yet this type of open dialog often inspires creative thinking and new perspectives. It allows empathy, understanding, and truth to emerge.

Thurman E Scott believes theater should belong to everyone. That it must test, probe, and struggle to find new expressions, new forms and new ideas that will inspire and uplift the consciousness of our society. Theater can be aspiration-focused. A way of being together that nourishes in each individual the resilience, the hope, the joy, the courage, the focus, and the determination that we each need in order to create the world in which we want to live – both on stage and off. I left the volunteer shift motivated and inspired by the possibilities the Theatre opens to the community!

To read more about the Actors Theatre Workshop and their award-winning program, to donate to support their vision, or to learn about volunteer activities, please visit: Home – The Actors Theatre Workshop

Thank you for joining me on my journey this week!

Penny

Week 39: Our Hearts of Hope: Small Acts with Huge Impact

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Me with Heart


Hello friends! My journey this week brought me to Our Hearts of Hope where a small act became a radical way to connect with and support others….

 

Mencius (372-289 BC) was a Chinese philosopher who believed every human heart has the capacity for goodness. He taught that kindness and benevolence are rooted and inherent in our nature. By reflecting, focusing and acting on that aspect of our nature, we discover we are capable of performing acts of loving humanity which become a source of joy and happiness.

 

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Week 31: Volunteering New Year’s Eve at First Night Morris

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lego knight on horseChased by Lego knights and pirate ships, stalked by 6 foot tall dinosaurs, time-warped to the 1930s to carve Mt. Rushmore, paralyzed by the siren’s song of a Metropolitan Opera Soprano….. is this a crazy, alcohol-fueled dream? Nope. This is how I rang in an eclectic and delightful New Year’s Eve at First Night Morris in Morristown, NJ.

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Week 11: Healing Through Art: Creating Costumes for “Only Make Believe” in Washington DC

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Only Make Believe (OMB) was founded on the idea that freeing a child’s imagination and fostering their creative spirit are important parts of the healing process. The organization brings professional actors into hospitals and other venues to entertain sick and disabled children through specially-created interactive plays that encourage audience participation.

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