Sunshine Foundation

Sunshine Foundation is an American non-profit organization founded in 1976 by a then Philadelphia Police Officer, Bill Sample, to answer the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages 3 – 18 whose families cannot fulfil their requests due to the financial strain that the child's illness may cause. To date Sunshine Foundation has answered over 34,000 dreams nationwide.

Mission statement

Sunshine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity headquartered in Feasterville, PA and answers dreams for children nationwide. Sunshine Foundation's sole purpose is to answer the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages three to eighteen, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to the financial strain that the child's illness may cause.

Bill Sample

Bill Sample is the Founder and President Emeritus of Sunshine Foundation,a 501(C)(3)children's non-profit charity and the Original Wishgranting Organization.

Biography

In 1962, following three years of service in the United States Army, Sample joined the Philadelphia police force. Stationed on protective duty at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Bill often met chronically or terminally ill children and their families. Through talking with the families, he learned the emotional and financial strain that comes with having a seriously ill child. Mounting medical bills and time off from work made providing their child with what could be their last dream seem out of reach.

Bill Sample decided he was going to make a difference in these children’s lives. After taking out a personal loan and gathering a small group of dedicated volunteers, Bill founded Sunshine Foundation, the original wish granting organization, with the mission of answering the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages three to eighteen, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to the financial strain that the child's illness may cause.

Bill Sample serves on Sunshine Foundation's National Board of Directors as President Emeritus and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Villanova University.

Awards

3rd Annual Father Baker Service to Youth Award[1]
President Ronald Reagan’s Volunteer Action Award[2]
The Philadelphia Award[3]
Please Touch Museum’s Great Friends to Kids Award[4]
Thomas Jefferson Award
AMORC Humanitarian Award
The FREEDOMS Foundation Honor Award
an High School Alumni Achievement Award
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award[5]
6th Annual Daniel Gottlieb Humanitarian Award[6]

Qualifications to Receive A Dream

In order to receive a dream through Sunshine Foundation, a child must meet the following requirements:

Chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children qualify for dreams. Children must be between ages of three and eighteen and family income may not exceed $75,000.00

Programs

Sunshine Foundation's programs include Adopt A Dream, Dreamlifts, and Progeria Reunions. Sunshine Foundation answers dreams for children including family trips, personal computers, celebrity meet and greets and other dreams. The most requested dream is for a family trip to the Orlando Theme Parks. When families travel to Central Florida, they stay at Sunshine Foundation's Dream Village. The Dream Village consists of 9 fairy tale themed cottages, a playground and Olympic sized swimming pool all handicapped equipped and wheelchair accessible. The village is meant to be an escape from doctors and hospital visits for Sunshine families.

Sunshine Foundation was rated a top charity in 2008 by the American Institute of Philanthropy for giving 84.6% of all funds directly to the children Sunshine serves.[7]

Adopt A Dream

Adopt A Dream is Sunshine Foundation's basic dream program. Through this program, children can request family trips, personal computers, celebrity meet and greets.

Dreamlifts

In an effort to make more dreams come true, Sunshine Foundation started its Dreamlift Program. The Dreamlift is Sunshine's way of reaching those children whose physical conditions do not allow them to be away from home for more than 24 hours. On Dreamlift days, Sunshine Foundation charters a private plane and takes 100 children to a Central Florida Theme Park for a day. Off duty State Police and Firefighters lift the children on and off of the plane and escort them through the park for the day. The children then come home later that night after a day exploring the park.

Progeria Reunions

Sunshine Foundation hosted 27 Annual Progeria Reunions — providing an exciting week of fun and friendship for children worldwide diagnosed with this unique aging disease (HGPS). Since initiating Progeria awareness many years ago as an answer to Fransie’s dream, numerous other charitable foundations have been established that may offer hope, support, and at times, medical directives and care for this devastating disease.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic condition which causes physical changes that resemble greatly accelerated aging in sufferers. The disease affects between 1 in 4 million (estimated actual) and 1 in 8 million (reported) newborns. Symptoms generally begin appearing around 18–24 months of age. The condition is distinguished by limited growth, loss of hair and a characteristic appearance with small face and jaw and pinched nose. Later the condition causes wrinkled skin, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular problems. The development of symptoms is comparable to aging at a rate eight to ten times faster than normal, although certain age-related conditions do not occur. There is no known cure, and most children with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria do not live past the age of 16.[8]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bakervictoryservices.org/latest.html
  2. ↑ http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=43348
  3. ↑ http://www.philaaward.org/recipients.html
  4. ↑ http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/events/special_events_awards/great_friend_to_kids_awards/documents/GFTK_Winners_List_2010.pdf
  5. ↑ http://filelibrary.associationsites.com/AFPGPC/collection///10%20NPD%20Nomination%20Form.pdf?CFID=203028&CFTOKEN=38587451
  6. ↑ http://www.cfarcounseling.org/events.htm CFAR
  7. ↑ http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html#childsp
  8. ↑ http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=LL&Dato=20090621&Kategori=PHOTOS51&Lopenr=621009998&Ref=PH&show=galleries