The Ocean City Cape Atlantic All-Volunteer Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation celebrated another incredible year of generosity and community spirit at its 30th Annual Sunshine Golf Classic, held Monday, September 8th, at the Greate Bay Country Club and proudly sponsored by the Messner Foundation.
“This tournament is a true labor of love,” said Kate Sample, Sunshine Foundation president. “Every year, our local volunteers pour their hearts into this event — from planning and sponsorship outreach to running the tournament day itself — and the result is nothing short of magical. Seeing the smiles on our dream recipient’s faces is the greatest reward.”
This year’s tournament brought together golfers, sponsors, and volunteers united by a common purpose — making dreams come true for children living with severe chronic illnesses and special needs. All proceeds from this year’s tournament will fulfill the dreams of two local children:
Antonia, a little girl with sickle cell disease who dreams of meeting the Disney princesses and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and John, a young boy with quadriplegic cerebral palsy who dreams of receiving adaptive equipment to help him participate more fully in life.
“My daughter has sickle cell disease diagnosed at birth. I could not work for the first two years of her life, being a single mom and not wanting her exposed to viruses that could cause debilitating pain. Doctor’s appointments every 2 months and hospital trips for any fevers. I would love to be able to have her experience a dream or a special wish,” Antonia’s mom said.
“John is a wonderful little boy who brings happiness to his family and everyone around him. He is always cheerful and enjoys being with others. He loves going to school and participating in activities within his community,” John’s mom said.
Founded in 1995, the annual Sunshine Golf Classic has sent more than 100 children and their families on life-changing trips to Universal Studios, LEGOLAND Florida, Disney World, SeaWorld, and the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village in Central Florida. Beyond travel dreams, the tournament has funded shopping
sprees, adaptive tricycles, computers, meeting celebrities, cruises, and other customized experiences and equipment that bring smiles and joy to children who face extraordinary challenges.
Sunshine Foundation is the nation’s top-rated wish-granting organization, answering dreams for children with lifelong severe chronic illnesses, including level 3 severe autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, trauma from abuse, and other conditions. Unlike some wish-granting organizations, Sunshine Foundation does not require a life-threatening diagnosis, ensuring that children who are often turned away elsewhere still have the opportunity to experience their dream come true.
“Because this event is completely volunteer-run, the proceeds go right back into making dreams a reality,” added Sample. “We are so grateful to the All-Volunteer Ocean City Cape Atlantic Chapter volunteer president, Cathy DiMarco, and her chapter’s volunteers, golfers, sponsors, and the Messner Foundation for continuing to believe in these children and in the mission of the Sunshine Foundation.”
Since 1976, the Sunshine Foundation has answered dreams for more than 43,000 children nationwide, thanks to the generosity of individuals, family foundations, corporations, and its all-volunteer chapters across the country. For more information about the Sunshine Foundation, to refer a child for a dream, or to make a donation, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org
