Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A CHILD OF FEW WORDS

Lauren Szabados, (18) arrived from Madison, Ohio with her mother Nancy. She has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Mom said, “If not for the Sunshine Foundation, the trip to Disney would never have happened. We were totally refreshed and happy to know that my child had a fantastic time. Lauren is a child of few words but her face tells it all, it lit up several times. Laughing is good for the soul and this week that is all our family did.” Lauren enjoyed two days at Disney World and one day at Universal Studios.


The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization founded in 1976. The Dream Village broke ground in 1989 and the first family arrived on Feb. 27th, 1990. Approximately 20,000 dreams and 20 years ago we can still visualize the first family, Jimmy, a four year old little boy diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Upon entering the children’s bedroom in our first cottage and seeing the walls painted with big oak trees with squirrels, owls, birds and other little forest animals sitting on its branches, shouted with glee “Mommie, mommie, I wuv it! I wuv it!”


The Sunshine Foundation answers dreams to chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages 3 to 18. Help us to make our 20th year the best year ever and lower the amount of children on the waiting list. Currently the waiting list has over 200 special children. Will you be a Dream Maker? To learn how you or your company can help make more dreams come true, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org or call 800-457-1976. See What a Dream Can Do…

Monday, February 8, 2010

TWENTY YEAR CELEBRATION

20 years ago, a magical and enchanted village opened in central Florida for children suffering from chronic illnesses, physical challenges and the pain of abuse. Since then, more than 20,000 of these special children have visited the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village. The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization founded in 1976. When asked the simple question, “If you could have one dream, what would it be?” the majority of the children we serve wish for a trip to visit the central Florida theme parks: Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. Because of the overwhelming number of these requests, the Dream Village opened in 1990 as a place for our families to relax each night after a full day of fun and excitement in the parks.




Each cottage in the enchanted Dream Village has a fairy-tale theme especially designed for children. The 22 acre resort also includes a playground, pool and putt-putt golf; all handicapped-accessible. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are seeking corporations that can help upgrade the facilities. Some items on our “dream list” include: improve landscaping, re-paint main office building, new TV’s and games in each cottage, replace windows, upgrade pool systems, and help to create the fishing pond area. For a complete list and/or other 20th Anniversary opportunities, please contact Gail Dillon at gdillon@sunshinefoundation.org or 800-457-1976.

http://www.sunshinefoundation.org/ See What a Dream Can Do…

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Cocoa Beach to Clearwater Beach 1st Annual Coast to Coast Solo Run

Gerhard Treviranus from Campbell City , FL and member of the St. Cloud Pavement Pounders running club, recently accomplished an amazing feat. He ran from Cocoa Beach to Clearwater Beach , only stopping to eat and change clothes. The run took 67 hours to complete, through the rain, wind and cold. Gerhard accepted pledges and donations all to help increase funding and awareness for the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village in Davenport , FL.





What we accomplished this weekend I think shows everyone, even a handyman who is just an average runner can, with the right support, accomplish great things” said Gerhard. Many of his friends and other members of the running club accompanied and/or checked in on him throughout the run, giving him moral support, making him laugh, and helping him to finish. “The moral of this story is; if you have friends by your side, anything is possible”






Gerhard raised $775 with his first run for the Sunshine Foundation. One of Gerhard’s friends who supported him along the way, Gary Batty, also a member of the St. Cloud Pavement Pounders, will be running a marathon in the Florida Keys in May to benefit the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village .



The Dream Village is celebrating 20 years and 20,000 dreams answered of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children. The Dream Village houses the children whose only wish is to visit the Central Florida theme parks. For more information call 863-424-4188 or visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.