The Malta Circus was back in town and bigger than ever.

On Saturday, March 28, the annual circus was held for residents of ArchCare at Mother Cabrini Hospital, located at Terence Cardinal Cooke HealthCare Center in East Harlem. The auditorium was transformed into the Big Top, with a festive circus tent entrance, animal balloons, inflatables, banners, and other circus decorations. Live entertainment was provided by The Squeaky Clean Band and the juggling antics of Watson the Clown. This circus had its biggest crowd ever, with record numbers of residents, family members, and volunteers in attendance.

Volunteers transported the children and young adults from their rooms to the Big Top, where the residents (partnered with volunteers, family members, or hospital staff) paraded, danced, and played. Residents were also able to visit the circus photo booth, where they could wear props and have their pictures taken with Cookie the Elephant (James Palazza, friend of the Order of Malta) and Rainbow the Unicorn (Christian Culkin). Veteran Captain of Games, Maggie Ludwiczak, DM, led circus-goers in rousing games of Musical Wheelchairs and Beach Ball Hot Potato, with Ringmaster Steve Bujno, KM, presenting gold medals to the winning teams. 

At the conclusion of the circus, the residents received circus animal plush toys and were escorted back to their rooms by our volunteers. The Big Top overflowed with smiles, joy, care, and love, and once again showed why it is one of the highlights of the New York area’s year.

Vital to the success of the event was the Terence Cardinal Cooke/Mother Cabrini Recreational Therapy team of Adriana Grecco, Yuko Kyutoku, and Toiyeuco Baker-Fann for all their work in planning, assisting with the circus, and decorating the Big Top.