The sole purpose of the Sunshine Foundation is to grant the dreams and wishes of seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children, whose parents are under financial strain due to the child’s illness.

The Sunshine Foundation is a non-profit, international, charitable organization founding in 1976 by Bill Sample, a Philadelphia Police Officer. Sample was assigned to a local children’s hospital and came into contact with many seriously ill children. He saw the need to make a difference in the lives of these children by granting them a wish or fulfilling a dream – bringing a ray of sunshine to their lives. Thus, the Sunshine Foundation was born.

The local chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, headed by former Mercer County clerk Cathy DiCostanzo, has benefited greatly from the Delaware Valley Chapter’s efforts. Each year, a large portion of the proceeds from the Sunshine Football Classic is donated back to the foundation. Last season’s contest produced the highest total in the game’s nine-year history as game director Jim Griffin presented DiCostanzo with a $7,500 check at the 12^th Man TD Club Dinner in September.

For more information about the Sunshine Foundation and its efforts, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org