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Open Heart Magic

Cause Area

  • Arts & Culture
  • Children & Youth
  • Health & Medicine

Location

67 E. Madison StreetSuite 1504Chicago, IL 60603 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

Open Heart Magic inspires anxious kids dealing with difficult illness, unexpected hospital stays, and frightening medical situations, to sit up, laugh, and face their situation with courage through a personal bedside magic show.

Description

As a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) children’s charity, Open Heart Magic (OHM) focuses on improving the medical experience for sick kids in hospitals through joy, laughter, and hope.

OHM certifies every volunteer to work safely within the hospital environment, directly at a young child’s bedside, to use magic to engage kids at their most vulnerable point in their hospital stay.

At Open Heart Magic we believe doctors can’t heal everything and that laughter is the best medicine. We believe in helping sick kids get their magic back.

Open Heart Magic currently partners with 12 hospitals in Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Cleveland:

  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
  • University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital
  • Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
  • Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
  • Rush Children's Hospital
  • Central DuPage Hospital
  • NorthShore Evanston Hospital
  • Loyola University Medical Center
  • Alexian Brothers Women & Children's Hospital
  • C.S. Mott Children's Hospital (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH)
  • University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (Cleveland, OH)

Reviews

Would you recommend Open Heart Magic?
9 reviews Write a review
by Nader S. (January 15, 2012)
I think it's safe to say that almost everyone remembers seeing a magician when they were young...and without a doubt, it was a fond memory! OHM is so great because it provides the opportunity to create those lifelong memories, and at a time when kids need it the most. I've been a bed-side magician for almost 4 years now, and I know without a doubt that I'll be doing this for the rest of my life. The organization is filled with fun, energetic, passionate and committed people, and continues to grow with energetic individuals, helping us bring joy to more and more children each year.
by John K. (March 11, 2016)
I've never been a volunteer with an organization that provides as much support for its volunteers. While Open Heart Magic provides an even greater amount of appreciation for the work you do, the real appreciation comes from the children and families you meet. The magic isn't in the deck of cards you'll carry, or the handful of foam bunnies you'll have in your pocket, but in the way you'll empower these kids to perform a little magic of their own. I've been involved with Open Heart Magic for almost six years, and have been a magician for more than five. It's an amazing, selfless experience that continues to reward.
by Sue W. from Chicago, IL (January 13, 2012)
This is the most unbelievable organization! I became a hospital magician thinking that I would be giving back but ended up getting so much from the experience. For a couple hours every couple weeks, I get to lose myself in the magic and the joy that we bring to sick kids in the hospitals. And being a magician is just OOOL! You know when you give your time for this organization that you are making a tremendous impact on the lives of sick kids and their families and that is just MAGICAL!!! Can't thank OHM enough for this great opportunity.
by Diego M. (January 13, 2012)
I have been a hospital magician for almost 4 years now and I can honestly say this was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Nothing is more rewarding than performing magic for sick kids and bringing laughter to them and their families. The experience humbles you and makes you realize that all the stress in life is meaningless. There are things that are bigger than yourself and outside of your own realm of thinking. Plain and simple, I make a direct impact on kids in a critical time and know that I am helping them. This experience truly allows you to make a dent in the universe.
by Eric S. (January 13, 2012)
I never would have guessed that something as simple as a few magic tricks in a hospital room could have such a tremendous impact. Being able to provide smiles and laughter for a child and their family, in an environment where those are usually hard to come by, leaves me not only feeling great about being involved but also leaving me wanting to do more. I feel that by volunteering with Open Heart Magic I have been able to make a difference in kids' lives when it is at it's toughest. Nobody enjoys being in the hospital, kids most of all, and by giving just a few hours of my time I'm able to let them forget where they are or why they're there. Volunteering has quickly become the highlight of my week, and I always look forward to when it's my week to go perform bedside magic.
by Jed S. (January 13, 2012)
I have been a lawyer for 35 years. It has been very rewarding. But nothing compares to the reward of bringing joy to children and their families at the hospital by performing magic and teaching the child how to perform magic too. All day long doctors, nurses, technicians and others come into the child's room to test,examine, prod and diagnose. I come in with the simple greeting,"Hi, my name is Jed. I am an Open Heart magician. Want to see some magic?" Their eyes light up. For a few minutes in their day magic is the focus of their life. And the their smiles heal the worries of their mothers and fathers. I have performed card and coin tricks since childhood. Nothing compares with the joy of giving the gift of magic to a child and his/her family.
by Howard C. from Evanston, IL (June 28, 2010)
Being one of Open Heart Magic's bedside magicians not only allows one to provide enjoyment and relief from their illness to hospitalized kids, it also provides the opportunity to learn wonderful new skills in magic under the tutelage of a team committed to providing both fantastic entertainment and also extreme sensitivity to all that we serve.

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