Bringing Light to Those in Need

For nearly 70 years, there has been a “Miracle in the desert” in east Mesa. Over the course of that time, Sunshine Acres has provided a loving home for more than 2,000 disadvantaged children in the Phoenix Valley, and they continue to do so to this day.

During the month of August, the David R. Sellers Foundation, the philanthropic arm of LGE Design Build, set a goal of raising $10,000 for this amazing organization to continue their mission. For every donation made this month, LGE will match it dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 in an effort to double the impact made by the DRS.

Founded by Jim and Vera Dingman in 1954, Sunshine Acres was an abandoned boarding school on 125 acres that they purchased for $29,500. In the years since, the organization has grown to operate with more than forty buildings, on what is now 109 acres. Seven of these buildings are modern homes that house approximately ten children each. An eighth house is currently under construction.

Each of the homes at Sunshine Acres has a set of parents who take on such responsibilities as driving them to school or even taking them to the doctor. Sunshine Acres provides all of their meals so that these parents can focus on spending quality time with these children whose real parents may be in prison or deceased. Some of the children even come to Sunshine Acres after failed adoptions, amongst various other reasons.

Providing loving and stable homes for these children is at the core of Sunshine Acres’ mission, however, much of what makes this place so special happens outside of the houses. Among the many initiatives at Sunshine Acres are a karate program, music lessons, along with a choir and drama program. They also offer a Junior Harvester Program in their green house, as well as a Horse Program and Livestock Show Team to teach proper care for animals. On their property, you will also find a large in-ground pool, a skate park, a small zoo, and a baseball field.   

While part of their funding comes from two resale boutiques where they take material donations, they also accept monetary gifts from private donors, which is crucial to their operation, as they do not receive any government funding.

Please join us in supporting this wonderful organization and help them provide loving and stable homes for these underprivileged children. Click here to make a donation and LGE will match it dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 until the end of August!