Bucks Philanthropist Helping To Make Dreams Come True For Local Kids

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Sunshine Foundation’s 2nd Annual Summer of Sunshine Campaign is nearing its goal of answering the dreams of 10 children thanks to a generous matching gift opportunity from the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund.

Local philanthropist Gene Epstein offered a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10,000 and presented the check to Sunshine Foundation President Kate Sample. The funds will help answer the dreams of children with life-long severe illnesses and conditions from income-limited families.

Nine out of the ten children during this campaign have had their dreams fully funded. To help the Sunshine Foundation reach its goal and answer one more Magical Dream, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org/sos24 to donate before September 1.

“We are so grateful to the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund for making a $10,000 donation to help us with our goal to answer the dreams of 10 children this summer - children like Daniel, with level 3 severe autism and Tourette syndrome, who is wishing for a Magical Dream to meet Mickie and Minnie at Disney World," said Sample.

Sunshine Foundation is making dreams come true for 10 children.

The Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund is a private foundation located in Newtown. Its mission is to empower adults, children, and families. They have made grants to multiple organizations such as the Bucks County Opportunity Council. They have also provided scholarships to students in need through a partnership with the Bucks County Community College Foundation.

Sunshine Foundation, founded in Philadelphia and headquartered in Bucks County, answers the dreams of children with life-long, severe, chronic illnesses and conditions such as: spina bifida, cerebral palsy, level 3 severe autism, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy, Sickle Cell Disease, blindness, deafness, trauma from abuse, and others.

To make these dreams a reality for children who may be turned away from other wish-granting organizations that require a life-threatening or critical diagnosis, Sunshine Foundation relies on the generosity of individuals, family foundations, organizations, and corporations.

The most common request is a Magical Dream to visit Legoland Florida, Universal Studios, Disney World, and SeaWorld while choosing to stay at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village near Disney. Sunshine Foundation also answers special dreams like shopping sprees, computers and iPads, outdoor playsets, above-ground swimming pools, family trips, cruises, adaptive tricycles and other special needs equipment, plus many more.

Since 1976, Sunshine Foundation has spread sunshine into the lives of more than 42,500 children throughout the United States. The organization is the Top-Rated Wish-Granting Organization in America with a perfect 100 percent score on Charity Navigator and “A” Rating on CharityWatch. For more information, to refer a child for a dream, or to make a donation, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org/sos24.