Spreading the 'Sunshine' to terminally ill and chronically ill children is truly important, each and every day. A long time ago I became a volunteer with a wonderful Organization, called: the 'Sunshine Foundation'. The Organization was 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.
I received a phone call from the 'Sunshine Foundation' requesting that I visit a family in New York, to give them the packet they need, with all the information they need, to fulfill their son's wish to travel to 'Disney World' in Orlando, Florida. I then visited with the family and met a very special young man who was fighting a battle with a terminal illness. They had everything that they need for a 'Dream Come True' to occur in the next few weeks. When I left I truly felt great that we could help this family. About, a week later, I received a call from the Mom, and she advised me that he son had taken a turn for the worse and that they would not be able to go to 'Disney World'. She requested that I come back and pickup the tickets. I was truly heartbroken. I traveled back and met with the family and I spent some time getting to know them, better than I had before. I was not at all happy myself. The next morning, I was thinking that I wish that I could do something and I remembered that he was a big fan or baseball player: 'Reggie Jackson'. So, I came up with a plan to get an autographed baseball, by 'Reggie Jackson' for him. I contacted the N.Y. Yankees, but they hung up the phone on me. I then called a famous New York Sports Reporter and got him on the phone. I explained the situation and the need for the autographed baseball and he helped me get it in two days. Amazing. I then called the family, and asked if I could visit as both a friend and as a volunteer with the 'Sunshine Foundation'. I met with the family and I presented this special 'baseball' autographed with a special message to this special young man. He was absolutely amazed that his idol wrote to him and he wouldn't let go of the ball. Other members of the family, plus me were in tears of joy. Just two days later, his mom, called me and told me that he had 'passed away', but since he had that special baseball, he was not in pain - he was truly happy. I did go to the funeral, it was a sad event, but his Mom and family came up to me and thanked me, for helping to make his last days joyful for him. The 'Sunshine Foundation' is truly a wonderful Organization.
Review from #MyGivingStory