April is National Volunteer Month—a time to celebrate the amazing people who truly make a difference by donating their time, energy, and sharing their hearts to make our world brighter. At Sunshine Children’s Home, we’re so lucky to have such wonderful volunteers who bring so much warmth, compassion, and joy to our children every day. This month, we’re shining a light on one of those volunteers: Maureen, who spends her weekends with the littlest residents in our Sapling Unit.
Maureen’s journey at Sunshine began after observing how happy her daughter was volunteering at Sunshine during high school. “I got to see how much she enjoyed being with the kids,” Maureen says. “With my kids all grown up and some free time on weekends, I wanted to do something meaningful. Spending time with The Saplings seemed like a great option.”
Since then, Maureen has become a cherished presence in the Sapling Unit. “It’s hard not to smile around The Saplings,” she shares. “Babies are so new and curious about the world. They remind me to slow down and appreciate the simple things.”
One moment that stood out to her? “The first time, one of the babies recognized me and was very excited to see me. That was such a special moment, it reminded me how even small, consistent gestures can mean so much.”
Maureen said that her weekends now feel more complete thanks to the time she spends at Sunshine. “Volunteering is such a fulfilling way to spend open time. You get to meet great people and make a real difference,” she says. “It’s something meaningful outside of the usual day-to-day. I didn’t expect it to be such a highlight in my week, but it truly is.”
“The babies have made me realize how lucky I am to hopefully make a small difference in their lives. This experience has made a real difference for me.”
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we want to offer a heartfelt thank you to Maureen—and to all the incredible volunteers who make Sunshine shine a little brighter. Your kindness, dedication, and love mean the world to our residents, their families, and our entire team.
Do you know a Sunshine volunteer? Take a moment to thank them this month and every day. Their time truly changes lives!