Magicians often get the punchline treatment, be it in popular culture or from your pretentious friend. But for Open Heart Magic in Chicago, the magic in what the organization does can feel pretty real. Using magic tricks, the organization brings smiles and laughter to seriously ill children in local hospitals.
“Our mission is to use the therapeutic power of magic and laughter to energize and strengthen seriously ill children in Chicago-area hospitals and aid their healing,” Colin Joliat, manager of magic, training and communications, wrote in an email.
Founded in 2003, the organization has grown today to work with hospitals in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Cleveland as well. Joliat wrote that Open Heart reaches an estimated 12,000 children annually across the organization’s various hospital partners.
Although the magic tricks make children laugh, they’re certainly no joke.
“We regularly hear parents describe seeing their kids smile for the first time when our volunteer magicians arrive,” Joliat added.
Getting involved with Open Heart means you get a chance to be a magician as well. The organization hosts a pair of 12-week training programs per year, with the next session coming in February. Applications are already being accepted at openheartmagic.org for the spring 2018 training sessions.
“Our volunteers go through a 12-week training program to learn how to perform interactive, one-on-one bedside magic as well as techniques necessary to truly create a lasting impact,” Joliat wrote. “And because our volunteers undergo rigorous training in clinical protocols, they’re able to go where other charities can’t – reaching kids in pediatric intensive care, oncology, isolation, the burn unit and the emergency room.”
If you want to learn about the organization sooner than that, Open Heart will host its first-ever black tie gala, Casino Magicale, at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at The Casino Club (195 E. Delaware Place). The ticket price is a hefty $250, but that includes “heavy hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails.” Formal attire is also required.
@lucheezy | adlukach@redeyechicago.com
