Friday, July 8, 2011

Universal Orlando Foundation Adopts a Cottage at Sunshine Foundation Dream Village for Chronically Ill and Abused Children

Davenport, FL The Universal Orlando Foundation has adopted one of the nine themed cottages at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village.  This funding will allow Sunshine Foundation to send more children from its waiting list to the Dream Village.

The $30,000 grant will also give Universal Orlando Foundation an opportunity to brand one of the special cottages, and will increase volunteer opportunites for Universal Orlando employees at the Dream Village.

“We are thankful for the generous support from Universal Orlando! Their commitment to making dreams come true for our seriously ill children is truly appreciated” said Wanda Curtis, Family and Property Manager at the Dream Village.

Sunshine Foundation's sole purpose is to answer the dreams of chronically 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.  We answer the dreams of children that do not qualify for other wish granting organizations that require a life-threatening diagnosis.

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 Dream Village was built 1988-1989 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.

To learn more about the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, visit the website, www.sunshinefoundation.org, or contact Rich Mergo, Director of Development, at 863-424-4188 or 800-457-1976.

Pictured from L-R in attachment:
Dream Village Advisory Council Members: Anthony Mitchell, Paul & Kim Ferguson, Sunnie the Sunshine Panther, Dreamer: Blake Lindsey & her family, Larry, Summer, Levi (from Auburndale, FL), Universal Orlando Foundation rep: Valerie Read, Dream Village staff: Rich Mergo and Wanda Curtis.

Oversized check generously provided by: Sign-A-Rama Kissimmee.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Print and bring this flyer to Chili's ChampionsGate in Davenport FL and Chili's will donate 10% of your purchase to Sunshine Foundation Dream Village! Every Monday and Tuesday between 11am - 11pm at this location during the entire month of May, will benefit the Sunshine Foundation with this flyer! 8180 Laura Ln, Davenport 33896 (I-4 exit 58). Pepper in Some Fun and See What a Dream Can Do!

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Sunshine Foundation will be hosting its 2nd Annual Spring Family Fair at the Dream Village on Saturday, April 30th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. This FREE, fun, family-friendly day will feature live animals, face-painting, games, prizes, raffles, plus use of the Dream Village's playground and miniature golf facilities and much, much more! Bring the kids and enjoy a fun-filled day at the enchanted Dream Village, set in a magical, fairy-tale environment and designed especially for children of all abilities. The Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Fire Department will also be on display.
The Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of chronically ill, physically challenged and abused children. The Dream Village opened in 1990 the Four Corners area of central Florida near ChampionsGate and Reunion because the most requested dream of the seriously ill children is to visit the Orlando area theme parks. Over the last 20 years, more than 20,000 special children have visited the Dream Village. Please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org or call 800-457-1976 for more info. 5400 CR 547 N, (Dream Village Rd) Davenport, FL 33837.

Monday, February 28, 2011

April 2, 2011: Polk County Parks & Recreation 5th Annual ‘Ride for a Reason’ Poker Run

Join Polk County Parks & Recreation as we host our 5th annual ‘Ride for a Reason’ Poker Run to Benefit ‘Sunshine Foundation Dream Village’. Registration and check-in begins at 10:00 a.m. and riders will depart from the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village in Davenport, FL at 11:00 am. Riders will use the maps provided to locate all five stops and the last bike in must arrive at the final stop by 4:00 p.m. All participants will receive a complimentary continental breakfast provided by the Sunshine Foundation.

Pre-registered riders will receive an event T-shirt. Early registration costs $15 for a single rider, $25 for a rider and a passenger. Riders registering the day of the event will pay $20 for a single rider, $30 for a rider and a passenger. Additional hands cost $5 each and additional T-shirts may be purchased for $10. In addition to the prize for best hand, participants are also eligible for door prizes and raffle drawings.

The pre-registration deadline is March 18th. Please contact Stephanie Glausser at Polk
County Parks & Recreation at 863- 534-4340 for more information

Thursday, January 20, 2011

HONEYWELL AND REBUILDING TOGETHER POLK COUNTY RENOVATE THE SUNSHINE FOUNDATION’S DREAM VILLAGE

WHAT: Honeywell and Rebuilding Together of Polk County will lead a community service project at the Sunshine Foundation’s Dream Village, a center for disabled children and families, in Davenport, Florida.

Honeywell donated more than $10,000 in materials and more than 60 Honeywell employees will volunteer their time to refurbish the community center. Renovations include painting the windmill cottage and cleaning and painting exterior chimneys of seven cottages in the village. The team will also make necessary repairs to the playground and lay sod throughout the grounds.
WHO: The following spokespeople will be available for interviews:

Curtis Dobler, Vice President of Human Resources, Honeywell Environmental Combustion and Controls

Alice Spivey, Executive Director Rebuilding Together Polk County
WHEN: Friday, January 21, 2011 1:00-5:00 p.m.

WHERE: 5400 County Road

547 North

Davenport, FL 33837
**Media will have video and photography access during the event and interviews can be arranged with Honeywell and Rebuilding Together volunteers.**

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, focuses on five areas: Family Safety & Security; Housing & Shelter; Science & Math Education, Humanitarian Relief and Habitat & Conservation. Together with leading public and nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please go to www.honeywell.com/hhs.
Rebuilding Together of Polk County’s mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need. Programs focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, veterans, active duty service member’s families and families with young children, as well as non-profits serving these communities. Rebuilding Together of Polk County started as Rebuild Polk After Disaster in the aftermath of the 2004 hurricanes. Since then, Rebuilding Together of Polk County has served over 1,500 clients in order to provide repairs and mitigation measures. Rebuilding Together of Polk County continues to make an impact in the community with the aid of sponsors, grants, and volunteers.
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