The Dream Project Brings Children Joy

After only three months as a student at APU, Holly Campbell’s love for music, children, acting, and service converged in the creation of a new campus club called The Dream Project. Campbell, a vocal performance and music education major, gathered a group of students together who shared her passions and wished to dedicate themselves to a meaningful cause.

The Dream Project brings children joy by sending students dressed up as princesses, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Pocahontas, to hospitals and community events. This fall, these students volunteered at the Azusa City Library during the Fall Festival reading stories to approximately 100 children, and they participated in City of Hope’s Annual Pediatric Parade where they took pictures, sang, and played games with the children, including those inside the hospital who weren’t healthy enough to attend the event.

Campbell and her team organized movie nights, open mic performances, and bake sales to raise funds to buy beautiful custom costumes and they dedicate numerous hours to developing their characters. Members of The Dream Project represent a large variety of majors, from theater and musical performance, to nursing and liberal studies. “Through this club we have the incredible opportunity to use our God-given gifts and talents to bring encouragement to young children who are facing difficult situations,” said Campbell.

“Holly has done an amazing job initiating and leading this APU student ministry that now has more than 50 members,” said Melanie Galloway, DMA, associate professor of music, and faculty advisor for The Dream Project. “She exhibits an incredible heart for the Lord, beams a genuine love and care for others, and has an amazing classical singing gift and a love of teaching music. She is living out "God First" in a powerful way, and she's only a sophomore!”

For Campbell, leading The Dream Project has stretched her in profound ways. “Through this process, God is teaching me how to be a Christ-centered leader and to glorify Him by using my talents to bless others,” said Campbell. “Seeing the eyes of the children light up and bringing them happiness affirms my calling. I am so grateful to share these special moments with my fellow APU students, working alongside one another in this unique ministry.”

For more information about The Dream Project, email [email protected]. Character auditions happen in the fall, but applications are accepted throughout the year.

Posted: November 30, 2017