The Sunshine Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Regen Foley to honor her beloved stepfather who died on her tenth birthday. The organization was incorporated in 2009, but projects have been active since 2001.
100% of all donation and grants are used for projects. There are no salaries, office overhead, or fundraising costs. Board members are volunteers and personally underwrite all fundraising expenses.
The Sunshine Project has received grants from Target, Susan G. Komen for the Cure South Florida, South Florida Radiation Oncology, and The Einstein Foundation.
Mission Statement:
To help children and families in need and crisis.
History:
The Sunshine Project, Inc. is an outgrowth of The Comfort Bag Project, which began in 2001 to being cheer to children hospitalized at The Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Medical Center. Each bag contains a fleece blanket, hand-made by area students, craft supplies, and a stuffed animal. To date over 3,000 bags have been donated.
To identify and implement new projects, a 501(c)(3) was formed and a board was recruited. The Sunshine Project, Inc. was named for Rick Sunshine, who passed away from cancer on October 5, 1998.
The Sunshine Project has received grants from Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure South Florida, Target, The Albert E. and Birdie W. Einstein Fund, Inc., and South Florida Radiation Oncology.
The president of the Sunshine Project, Regen Foley, has been recognized in several area news publications and was chosen by Kelley Dunn of News Channel 5 as a "Kelley's Hero." She received the "Pathfinder Award" in Community Involvement from the Palm Beach Post and the "Heroes in Medicine Award" from the Palm Beach County Medical Society. In 2011, Tulane University awarded her the Tulane 34 Award to honor her exemplary leadership, service, and academic achievement.
