Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization, founded in 1976, answering dreams of over 31,000 seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children nationwide.

Description:
Special Dreams – The dreams Sunshine fulfills are as unique as the children themselves. Special dreams range from laptop computers to equipment for handicapped accessibility; from shopping sprees to meeting a favorite celebrity or sports star, and everything in between!

Dream Village Dreams – The Sunshine Dream Village is a 22-square-acre property located 15 miles west of Orlando, Florida. Situated in an enchanted village are 9-storybook-themed cottages, a handicapped-accessible swimming pool, playground and miniature golf course. When a child’s dream is to visit the Central Florida attractions, Sunshine provides the child and their family with airfare, spending money, car rental, lodging at the Dream Village and theme park admissions. The average family we serve has four members.

Dreamlifts – Sunshine charters an airplane and provides a one-day trip to a Central Florida attraction for more than 100 special needs children whose diagnosis does not allow them to be away from home for more than 24 hours. Lifting off at 8 a.m. and arriving by 10, the children spend all day in the park until it’s time to return to the plane at 8 p.m. Sunshine provides for the child and a chaperone to enjoy the flight, three meals, theme park admission, spending money and souvenirs. Over 84 Dreamlifts have taken more than 7,000 children to the skies to See What a Dream Can Do!

Annual Progeria Reunion – Progeria, a disorder marked by rapid aging of the body 8-10 times faster per year than an average child, affects just one in eight million children. Sunshine provides for the children and parent the airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, entertainment, and expense money for the trip, as well as any necessary visa or travel accommodations from their respective countries and translators during their stay if necessary. It is a week when these children can be away from their illness and be just like other kids.

History:
In the 1960’s, Philadelphia police officer Bill Sample was assigned to a local children’s hospital. He encountered critically ill, and often terminally ill, children and saw first hand how these children’s families were burdened not only by mounting medical bills, but also by the frustration of not being able to provide their child’s special dream. In 1976, Bill took out a personal loan and, with the help of others, started the Sunshine Foundation and began making dreams come true for these truly deserving children.

Contact person: Bridget Bonasch, Development Assistant, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (215) 396-4774

Address:

1041 Mill Creek Drive Feasterville, PA 19053 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.sunshinefoundation.org

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No