For the third year in a row, Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills was turned into a magical place, at least for a week.

The “magic” comes as adults and teen volunteers work with nearly two dozen disabled children on a daily basis to make them stars in their own eyes and everyone around them.

“As usual, these kids are absolutely awesome,” says Fountain Hills resident Ruth Covey, the driving force behind The Arizona Magic of Music & Dance.

Billed as “Magical Possibilities for Youth with Disabilities,” Covey organized a group of volunteers several years ago to establish a program in Arizona based on a camp she experienced in Aspen, Colo.

This marked the third year the camp was offered in Fountain Hills.

During the five-day camp, each special needs “actor” is assigned a “buddy,” usually a teenager who works with the actor throughout the day and week.

The participants do a variety of activities throughout the week in addition to learning a role for a play that is staged at the end of the camp.

This year the play was “Annie.”

Covey adds, “Our amazing volunteers returned again this year. We had more than enough buddy volunteers. Many of our actors are back, too, which is great.”

Taking care of the 21 actors were about 45 “buddies” and a host of adult volunteers.

Renee Fox, the daughter of Charlie and Margo Fox, has participated in the camp all three years as an actor.

“It is such a wonderful thing for all of us,” Margo Fox said.

“Renee looks forward to doing it. She has come a long way from the first year, when she didn’t even want to get up on stage, and now she really enjoys going there for the whole week.

“We just really enjoy watching the other parents’ faces when their kids are up on stage.

“It’s such a great thing to see your kid up there, knowing they can be themselves and be up there having fun. That’s the best thing.”

Fox said the volunteers are wonderful: “And we’re so thankful Ruth Covey started it three years ago, because it’s been great for us. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a wonderful program.”

Taylor Kerley, 15 of Scottsdale helped out at the camp.

“I do it for the fun and joy of helping others,” says the bubbly teenager.

“It’s the third year I’ve been here.”

Terri Benton, vice president of philanthropy for the Sonoran Centennial chapter of the National Charity League, was hustling around on Friday morning as the actors were being prepped for their stage performances.

The National Charity League is a mother/daughter charity that assists other non-profits.

“We’re new to Arizona Magic this year, and today there are eight of us helping out,” Benton says. “We’re helping serve where they need us, and we brought in the baked goods for today.

“We wanted to bring in some new philanthropies this year, and this is one of them.

“What’s going on here is just fantastic. It’s fun to see the kids using their minds and their bodies.”

Her 15-year-old son, Kyle, was helping through the week as a buddy, teamed up with actor Lee Cravath.

They both agreed that playing basketball was their most favorite activity – but that was before “Annie” was produced on stage in front of hundreds.

“He’s definitely ready for the play,” Kyle said of Lee. “We had fun. It’s really opened my eyes and given me a unique experience of the world.”

Kyle not only was able to expand his horizons but was earning some required Christian service hours for the school he attends, Notre Dame High School.

Christ’s Church Pastor Don Lawrence says, “The Arizona Magic of Music and Dance does a tremendous job of working with special needs children.

“It is such a joy to watch the children having so much fun while working on and then presenting their program.

“Many of our church members look forward each year to attending their show at the end of the week.

“It is one of those experiences that touches your heart in a very special way, and thus, it is our pleasure to again host this great program.”

Actors who starred in the unique “Annie” production were Bill bacon, Diana Collier, Barrett Dunham, Renee Fox, Lauren Hummel, Grace Linemen, Bob Ogden II, Lupita Rangel, Kellen Washum, Peter Yanovitch, Anthony Castle, Brittany Haden, Daniel O’Keefe, Isaac Gomez, Sidney Daswick, Tristan Johnson, Alexandra Horne, Lee Cravath, Alexander Wolkins, Andrew Fox, Sean Jones and Emma Biggs.