Thanks to a generous donation by the American Osteopathic Foundation, over 60 SOMA members volunteered at the 2009 SOMA Unity Project at Give Kids the World, December 27-30, 2009, in Kissimmee, Florida. One aspect of the SOMA Unity Project is to have osteopathic medical students from across the country come together for one service project, and 16 Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine were represented.

Since 2005, SOMA has been hosting an annual “Unity” project in which medical students from across the nation come and generously volunteer their time and efforts toward a charitable community service. Each year this project allows students to take part in an unforgettable experience to help enrich the lives of others, while simultaneously promoting “Unity” amongst the osteopathic medical schools. This year’s project will take place at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida from December 28th -30th , 2009. Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that gives children from around the world with life-threatening illness, as well as their families, a chance to forget about their daily lives of hospital stays and doctors visits to experience a time in which their innocent wishes of ice-cream for breakfast and a chance to meet Cinderella and Shrek are fulfilled.

Osteopathic students from around the country will have the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering for this project. Here are some of the opportunities: serving in the Gingerbread House Restaurant or Ice Cream Palace, running the Amberville Train Station or carousel, assisting the children at Mayor Clayton’s (a six foot tall rabbit) birthday party, and much more. Since Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that depends on 1,200 volunteer shifts per week, there is always a need for caring and compassionate volunteers here, so for all of the students of SOMA that volunteer there will never be a dull moment.

Report from Nathan Hale, OMS IV from MWU/AZCOM, SOMA Unity Project Director 2009-2010:

I recently organized and attended the SOMA Unity Project in Kissimmee, Florida. The project’s mission was to form unity within the osteopathic profession while providing service to the Give Kids the World Foundation. Give Kids the World works in collaboration with the Make a Wish Foundation. Over sixty DO students from many of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine volunteered their time and energy to create a stress-free vacation for critically ill children and their families. This vacation provides the family with a brief escape from the harsh reality of their existing situation.

Each day we would report to the Give Kids the World volunteer office, where they would assign us our responsibilities. These responsibilities would vary from gardening to operating the carousel. Each of the volunteers performed a variety of tasks each day.

Here is a brief description of one of my experiences which depicts what a unique and rewarding service opportunity we had. One evening, I operated the carousel. I watched a sweet five-year-old, Brigit, ride the carousel for three hours. I joked with her parents that she was going to set a new world record. Her parents were obviously tired of the carousel but didn’t have the heart to end her fun. It was a very moving sight to see the little girl’s excitement as she waved to her parents each time the carousel went around. As I watched her, I realized what this vacation meant to her, and I was thankful that our simple service was contributing to her joy.

I learned from this project that there exist many opportunities to make a difference. I was impressed by the osteopathic community’s readiness to volunteer and give back to the community. I feel honored to have been apart of this project and thank the American Osteopathic Foundation for making it all possible.

Pictures of the Give Kids The World Village

Previous SOMA Unity Projects

Thank you,
Alicia Isom

SOMA Unity Project Director

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email unity@studentdo.com.