By Kimberly Yap

Two organizations that work with medically vulnerable children in the surrounding area have recently been brought to Fordham: Best Buddies and A Moment of Magic. Danielle Cammarosano, GSB ’19, has the experience of working with special needs children for many years with Best Buddies at its summer camp. She has been trying to bring a chapter to Fordham since her freshman year, and is ecstatic that it has finally been approved as an official club.

Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They will be working with the Kingsbridge Community Center to establish these connections within the Bronx community.

Additionally, A Moment of Magic is a national nonprofit organization that allows college students to dress up as their favorite childhood characters and visit children’s hospitals in hopes to spread a little magic in their lives. The organization was originally founded at College of Mount Saint Vincent, a neighbor to us in the Bronx. Since February, Ellie Roberts, FCRH ’19, has been recruiting a network of students to act as volunteers and princesses while awaiting for club approval. Best Buddies and A Moment of Magic offer the rewarding experience of working with children and are such important additions to our campus.

Though it is already difficult to manage class assignments, internships and a healthy social life, clubs like Best Buddies and A Moment of Magic are worth putting the time into. In many instances, especially for those who are medically vulnerable, the children are deprived of the joys that we were so fortunate to have growing up. Many of these children spend their days in the hospital receiving treatment, and are faced with many limitations and obstacles that many of us cannot even imagine. In addition, families of these children are faced with an obscene amount of medical bills. That is why the fundraising efforts of organizations like A Moment of Magic, the Fordham Dance Marathon for B+, UNICEF, Special Olympics, Autism Speaks and St. Jude’s Up Til Dawn are so greatly needed and appreciated.

Not only are the volunteer opportunities great, but they are exceptionally enriching. They serve as a great outlet, a way to remove yourself from your hectic schedule to do simple and fun activities with children. It means so much to children to be able to play with older students. Best Buddies pairs each student with a buddy. This is done so that the connection or relationship between the duo can be strong and nourished throughout the year. The goal is to create a real friendship that will be beneficial to the Fordham student and the child from the Kingsbridge Community Center. Imagine being five years old and unable to leave the hospital for over a month. If your favorite princess walked into the room to spend time with you, it would certainly brighten your day. Although these may seem like simple actions, they make a world of difference to kids.

The work done by Best Buddies and A Moment of Magic, along with the other clubs Fordham has that works with these causes, is significant. The impact can be seen in the smiles on these children’s faces.

Kimberly Yap, GSB ’19, is an applied accounting and finance major from Freehold, New Jersey.