By Ryan Karpusiewicz
Ionian Copy Staff

It is impossible to deny the power of a smile. Whether we've had a rough day, month or even year, a smile from a friend (or even a stranger) always seems to lift our spirits. There has always been a mystical sense of comfort that accompanies a smile. Smiles and laughter are contagious. So what do I say to this? Pass it on with Project Sunshine!

The Project Sunshine service project, an extracurricular activity that is run by Iona's Campus Ministries and in accordance with the Project Sunshine non-profit organization, concentrates its efforts on bringing joy to sick children in the Blythedale Children's Hospital. Located in Valhalla, N.Y., the hospital is host to 98 beds for sick children who have been afflicted with such ailments as cancer, harsh burns or injuries from other accidents. The hospital is also connected to a school to ensure that the children in the hospital do not get behind in their education.

In an effort to bring smiles to the faces of these children, Campus Ministries organizes trips to Blythdale which students can attend. There are two student campus ministers who serve as liaisons to the program.  Twice a month, the service project organizes a trip to the hospital to partake in activities such as making crafts and playing video games with the children who cannot leave Blythdale. Senior Kaitlyn Finn, a Campus Minister involved with the service project, commented on Project Sunshine. "Our goal is to bring a little fun to children who cannot leave the hospital."

For the Project Sunshine service project, October is a month of new beginnings. The coordinators of the project, Campus Ministers Kaitlyn Finn and Joe Madonna have updated the project to include the showing of a short film about Project Sunshine and a time to share previous Project Sunshine experiences on non-trip days. Also on non-trip days, there may be "movie nights," where participants in the service project can gather to watch movies and make crafts to send to the children.

Unfortunately for this month, the expectations of a bad flu season may force the children's hospital to cancel the service project's October trips. Despite this sad news, the coordinators of Project Sunshine are still excited about the future of the service project.

"Due to expectations of a bad flu season, our October trips may be cancelled. But not to worry, Katie and I have other fun activities planned for us to keep us focused on the kids even though we might not be able to visit them,"  Madonna said.

To get involved in Project Sunshine, attend the meetings which take place for the service on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. at the Montgomery House.

We all know the joy what a smile can bring, so bring a smile to the face of someone less fortunate than us. Pay it forward; pass a smile on with Project Sunshine!

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For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu