On August 16, 2025, AYLUS Oyster Bay branch volunteered at the Only Make Believe Foundation’s NYC Reel Impact Series, an event dedicated to bringing joy, creativity, and theatrical magic to children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities. During this event, volunteers watched Pixar’s Inside Out 2 alongside participating families while simultaneously crafting personalized costumes for the children to wear in upcoming performances and play-based therapy sessions.
Only Make Believe is a nonprofit that creates interactive theater experiences for children facing serious medical and developmental challenges. Through costumes, storytelling, and imagination-driven activities, the foundation helps foster confidence, emotional expression, and a sense of empowerment. Many of the children served by OMB rely on these creative outlets as a form of therapeutic engagement.
AYLUS volunteers contributed to this mission by designing and assembling costume pieces inspired both by Inside Out 2 and by each child’s individual preferences. The crafting process required care and adaptability, as many participants have physical or sensory sensitivities that require costumes to be soft, lightweight, and easy to adjust. Volunteers worked with fabric, felt, safe adhesives, and accessories to create items such as character-themed headbands, capes, and wearable props. Each costume was tailored with the goal of sparking imagination while ensuring comfort and accessibility.
While the movie played, volunteers interacted with families and staff, helping children choose colors, characters, and decorations that resonated with them. The uplifting themes of Inside Out 2, centered on emotional growth and understanding, enriched the atmosphere and encouraged conversations about creativity and self-expression. Many families shared how meaningful it was for their children to participate in an event where their abilities were centered and celebrated.
Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of AYLUS members, numerous handcrafted costumes were completed and gifted to the children by the end of the session. These costumes will be used in upcoming OMB performances, contributing directly to the foundation’s mission of building joy and resilience through theater.
The experience served as a reminder of how powerful creativity can be, particularly for children whose daily lives involve medical challenges. AYLUS Oyster Bay looks forward to continuing its partnership with Only Make Believe and contributing to future events that promote inclusion, imagination, and emotional well-being.
Written by: Amanda Li