Sunshine Communities

Sixty-one years ago today, Eunice Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, visited Sunshine. She was in town to give a speech at the Commodore Perry Hotel regarding national initiatives that her brother had put in place and to champion the idea that individuals with developmental disabilities could thrive. Before her speech, she visited Sunshine, met with our founder, Georgette Engler, and took a tour. The visit was arranged by a friend of the Shriver’s, Martin Kamerow, a prominent accountant in Washington D.C. Mr. Kamerow and his wife were the parents of a three-year-old boy, named Haskel, who lived at Sunshine. Haskel still resides at Sunshine today! Sunshine had a national reputation for outstanding care and this furthered the positive reputation. On Friday, May 10, 2024, Sunshine will commemorate 75 years by hosting a dinner and program for invited guests. The speaker at the celebration dinner is Tim Shriver, Eunice's son. Tim is the board chair of Special Olympics, an organization his mother founded in 1968. President Kennedy and Eunice had a sister, Rosemary, with developmental disabilities. Their family championed causes that greatly advanced support in this field. Examples of the President’s efforts are: 1. President’s panel proposed 100 new projects to combat developmental disabilities and their causes. 2. A special assistant to the President on developmental disabilities was appointed. 3. The first presidential message on developmental disabilities was sent to Congress in 1963. 4. The Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act, the first major legislation to combat mental illness and intellectual disabilities. The amendment incorporated many of the panel's recommendations and provided planning grants to enable states to update their intellectual disabilities programs. It also increased funding for prevention through maternity and infant care. 5. A second piece of legislation provided funding for the construction of facilities related to the prevention, care, and treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities. 6. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development was formed and is still in existence today. Sunshine appreciates the Kennedy family’s continued involvement in this field through Special Olympics and the Kennedy Foundation. Pictured are Eunice Shriver's visit, Haskel Kamerow as a young child with founders Roy and Georgette Engler, Haskel today, and Tim Shriver.

Sunshine's Foundation Board recognized two students from The University of Toledo who went above and beyond this week. Greta Fobare and Samuel Neuberger were the emcees for UToledo's Songfest, an annual competition of song and dance performances with divisions for men, women, and co-ed. They were also tireless fundraisers for Sunshine, this year's philanthropy. Greta's sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, was the leading fundraiser in the women's division. They also placed 3rd in the song & dance competition. Samuel's fraternity, Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity, was the leading fundraiser in the men's division. They placed 1st in the song & dance competition. Combined, all the competitors raised over $20,000 which will benefit home renovations on our main campus. Our bell choir opened the evening's activities with the Star Spangled Banner and I Love To See You Smile. This was the biggest stage that they had played on since they were formed in 2012. And they nailed it! Cindy Kerr, Vice President of Community Relations, gave the evening's speech. Greta is graduating with a degree in cosmetic science and formulation design. Samuel is graduating with a degree in ecology and organismal biology. Thank you, Greta and Samuel. You are appreciated.

As Sunshine Communities finalizes planning for our Signature 75th Anniversary Event on May 10th at the Glass City Center in Downtown Toledo, we remain committed to not only preserving history, but celebrating it as well. The lessons of the past inform decisions we make today and will continue to shape lives far into the future. Our unique connection to Eunice Shriver and her visionary impact will once again be on display in a few weeks, as we welcome Timothy Perry Shriver to Northwest Ohio. A unique and accomplished visionary leader, Tim has been a lifelong disability rights activist, film producer, educator, founder of UNITE, and has held the role of Chairman of Special Olympics since 1996. Please read more about how his family’s past helped shape the leader he is today… https://lnkd.in/gYFnXFf2

The City of Maumee, Ohio wins the Strong Towns 2024 competition for “Strongest Town” in the United States. 🇺🇸 💪 🏆 We’re proud to be a part of this community for 75 years. Georgette's Grounds & Gifts & Sunshine Studios are located on Conant St in Uptown Maumee. Sunshine Communities is on Maumee Western Rd. Join us in celebrating!

We enjoyed hosting the Maumee Chamber of Commerce's members this morning for their monthly Coffee Connections at our Georgette's café. Interested in having your next get-together at Georgette's? Let us know.

Give a listen to Greta and Sammy. They have been all-in for Sunshine Communities. They have volunteered their time and are committed to raising record breaking funds which will positively impact individuals with developmental disabilities. We invite you to support them, and us, by making a donation.

Sunshine has two retail locations in Uptown Maumee. Sunshine Studio’s and Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts benefits by the improved streetscape and added parking spots. Additionally, the City’s leadership has been supportive of non-profits and developmental disabilities through Accoustics For Autism annual concert. 🎶 1. Shop & dine with us.☕️🎨 Every purchase benefits individuals with developmental disabilities through our life-changing programs. 2. VOTE! ✅ The THE CITY OF MAUMEE has made Strong Towns’s Final Four of Strongest Towns. Cast your ballot here: https://strongesttown.com/

Today our café, Georgette's, released a new flavor of coffee, Carrot Cake. Since we opened it 18 years ago, we have been known for our made-from-scratch carrot cake. Those delicious spices and cream cheese frosting flavors are now available in either 12 oz or 2.5 oz bags. Our bunnies Mike and Dani invite you to purchase some for your Easter basket, business, religious institution, or event center. With each purchase of our products, whether from our café or your local grocer's shelves, you support individuals with developmental disabilities through our supported work programs. We are grateful. Stop by 311 Conant St, Maumee between 8am - 4pm, Monday through Saturday.

We appreciate the generosity of Ridi's service stations. Thank you to the customers and staff who donated towards our mission. This is especially meaningful since it's National Developmental Disabilities Month. #developmentaldisabilities #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesMonth #begenerous

Representatives from Sunshine’s leadership participated in Nationwide Children's Hospital’s luncheon today. The topic of furthering collaborations within our local community to benefit children was informative and encouraging. Thank you, Nationwide, for bringing our community together.