I started Playing for Others way back in year one. I was drawn to the idea of doing a play to raise money for children with disabilities. It went above and beyond my expectations!
The first year was just the play, nothing else. We did You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, I played Woodstock, and we raised an incredible amount of money for Lifespan. Year two, Jen had an amazing idea; pair each teen up with a buddy from the organization. That year was hard for me though. I saw all my friends building strong relationships with their buddies, and my buddy didn’t seem to like me. I was discouraged. But that didn’t last for long, because last year, year three, I met my amazing new buddy Maddy! She was everything I could hope for. She was playful, happy, and friendly. It was probably the best experience with PFO that I’ve had. She wasn’t just a “buddy”, she was a friend. If she didn’t want to play with the other kids, that was okay. We still had a great time.
And now, here we are in year four. The organization has grown so much! There’s now a visual art, music, and theatre experience! But the most important thing is that when you’re at PFO and you look around, you see other teens that care. They’re not just hanging out, gossiping, and being rude. They’re truly absorbed in the mission. You can’t help but smile! It’s exactly how I feel with Molly, my 2010 buddy. She is so enthusiastic and her presence just brightens my day. Every minute spent with her is a minute cherished. I have been newly reminded this year that it’s not about the money that we raise. It’s not about what part we get in the show. It’s not about hanging out with our PFO friends. It’s about our buddies. That’s who we’re raising the money for. That’s what all of this is about. So I’d just like to give a shout out to my buddy. I love you Molly. Thanks for being my best friend!
