Unfortunately, the growing evi dence substantiating the therapeutic value of the arts in health care is occurring simultaneously with dwindling financial resources for such programs. Further, nurses and Child Life specialists struggling with increases in average patient acuity level and patient-staff ratios have significantly less time to engage children in these types of labor-intensive, psychosocial interventions. Open Heart Magic provides an effective model for the creative and cost-effective use of community-based resources to develop a highly skilled volunteer program to provide meaningful, bedside interaction.