SUNSHINE FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income. Sunshine Foundation is the only national wish-granting organization that answers the dreams of children with a chronic, lifelong medical condition or illness rather than a critical or life-threatening diagnosis.
About This Cause
In 1976, Bill Sample, a Philadelphia police officer, started the Sunshine Foundation and began making dreams come true for chronically ill, physically challenged and abused children. The first child helped was Bobby, a five-year-old boy diagnosed with Leukemia. Bobby’s nurse told Bill that the boy had a dream to go to the mountains to see snow. Bill brought Bobby, his parents, and siblings to the Poconos in PA for a week of playing in the snow, sledding, and snowmobiling. Not long after, Bobby passed after his battle with Leukemia. Bobby’s mom told us years later that she didn’t realize at the time how important that dream would be to their family. She said that trip with Bobby, laughing and playing in the snow, was the happiest moment of their lives, and those memories they created have lasted a lifetime. The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish-granting organization, and over the past 49 years, more than 43,280 children have benefited from our programs and services. We strive to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to their limited incomes and the financial strain that the child's illness may cause. Most of the children we serve wish to visit the Central Florida theme parks and attractions when asked the simple question: “If you could have one dream, what would it be?” Since this has been the #1 dream request every year, the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village was built 1988-1989, just a few minutes from Disney World, and officially opened in January 1990. The Dream Village is a 22-acre resort nestled in a fairy tale setting and offers amenities and activities, all specially designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and other special needs. Each cottage has a unique and magical theme designed especially for children. The Sunshine Foundation provides everything for the entire family, including airfare, transportation, lodging, tickets to the attractions, and spending money. These once-in-a-lifetime Dreams Come True have a lasting impact on the children and their family members. The parents or guardians of the children share with us that these moments of joy are their happiest memories. The memories of laughter and fun made at the Dream Village and theme parks have helped their child during current struggles and will help them during future struggles. They discovered that they can do more as a family, traveling and exploring, and that their child is not limited to home and/or a wheelchair. These week-long trips provide a bright spot in their childhood filled with ongoing hospital treatments, surgeries, and therapies. Proud to be the Top-Rated wish granting organization in the United States with a perfect 100% 4-Star rating on Charity Navigator and an "A" rating on Charity Watch.