Although the Coronavirus pandemic has challenged many student organizations to convert to holding virtual meetings, Project Sunshine at George Mason is striving to positively impact pediatric patients during tough times. From creating craft kits for over 100 patients to fundraising, the new organization has begun to take off on campus with over 40 new members.
Over the past Fall 2020 semester, Allison Vel has served as the founder and president of the student organization Project Sunshine at George Mason University.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to dive deeper into Project Sunshine with Allison Vel to discuss the missions, goals, and how to become involved with this awesome organization.
Kaylee Jeffries (KJ): What is Project Sunshine? What are the missions and goals?
Allison Vel (AV): Project Sunshine is a 501(c)(3) organization striving to bring sunshine to pediatric patients. They ‘bring sunshine’ by working to make medical spaces more child friendly. They currently have over 60 college chapters and programs globally.
KJ: How was the student organization created (if you and other students came up with the idea)?
AV: In my freshman year, I felt like I should do something to connect with other pre-medical students and people who cared about the same things I do. I want to become a pediatric emergency room doctor and love children so I started looking for places to volunteer. I couldn’t find a GMU organization that matched my interests, so I decided to make one. I reached out to Project Sunshine and pretty much sent them this long (unnecessarily) emotional email telling them how I wanted to start a chapter at GMU. This is our first semester as a registered student organization on campus and I have been overwhelmed by all the support this charity I love has gotten.
KJ: What are some activities members do within Project Sunshine?
AV: Project Sunshine members have a couple of activities to choose from. This semester we created craft kits, fundraising, and teleplay events. Craft kits are bags that contain different activities that pediatric patients can do in the hospital. Fall 2020 semester, we created 100 craft kits that will be able to brighten up the day of 100 pediatric patients. We also offer teleplay events that have been cool to reach children not only in hospitals locally but on a global scale as well. We zoom conferences with patients and play games, sing songs, and a bunch of other fun activities.
KJ: What is the main focus this semester as most of the semester is virtual?
AV: Since this is our first semester on campus the main goal was the growth of membership. I was nervous it would be hard to get the word out about project sunshine with most candidates not being on campus or anywhere close by. After I created an Instagram page for the organization and talked about it on my social media, I was so happy seeing the response it got. We currently have a little over 40 members which is HUGE for the first semester registered student organization.
KJ: What is your favorite thing about the organization?
AV: By far my favorite thing about not just project sunshine but specifically the GMU chapter is that I got to meet a bunch of people just like me who care about these pediatric patients. I could go on forever about how much I love and enjoy spending time with my project sunshine members. I love this organization and it means so much to see other people also care- it’s been something I’m so grateful for.
KJ: How can other students at Mason become involved, whether it be virtually or in-person?
AV: If you want to help spread some sunshine join our MASON360 page Project Sunshine or just @SUN. Follow our Instagram for updates @projectsunshine_gmu and check out the project sunshine website: https://projectsunshine.org/volunteers/college/.