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First Dream Child, Bobby
Our History

Original Wish-Granting Non-Profit

In the 1960s, Philadelphia police officer Bill Sample was assigned to a local children’s hospital. He encountered children with serious illnesses and saw firsthand how these children’s families were burdened not only by mounting medical bills, but also by the frustration of not being able to provide their children’s special dreams. In November 1976, Bill decided to make a difference.

He took out a personal loan and, with the help of others, sent Bobby, struggling with leukemia, and his family to the mountains to spend a week snowmobiling, sledding, and simply enjoying what Bobby told his nurse he dreamed of “playing in the snow”. With the support of others, Bill formed Sunshine Foundation, the first wish-granting 501c3, and began making dreams come true for children. Bill believed, “Not all children are able to run and play and enjoy life as easily as those who are healthy. Many children are innocent victims of birth defects, accidents, and serious illnesses. Shouldn’t each child know that somebody cares enough to see his or her dream come true?” -Bill Sample

The Cop Who Spreads Sunshine

Reader’s Digest, Published September 1982 by Joseph P. Blank

Upon publication of this article in Reader’s Digest, the public reached out to Sunshine Foundation to refer their child as well as to make donations to support Bill’s efforts. Bill retired early from the Philadelphia Police Department to devote his time fully to growing the Sunshine Foundation.

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For 50 years, we’ve turned dreams into reality. Help us keep the magic alive for the next 50.

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Dreamlifts
Dreamlift Program

First Dreamlift of Children with Special Needs to the Magic Kingdom

Back in the early 1980s, Bill Sample decided to charter an airplane to send groups of children to visit “The Mouse” for a day! So began the unique concept of Dreamlifts! Sunshine Foundation has sponsored 98 Dreamlifts, which included 108 chartered airplanes. Children board the airplane in the wee hours of the morning, then are whisked off to sunny Florida.

Sunshine dreamers can then enjoy a day that will provide memories that will last a lifetime! Sunshine Foundation’s ALL-VOLUNTEER Mercer County Chapter, the Trenton Mercer Community, including NJ State Troopers, along with Miami Air International, helped Sunshine Foundation give these deserving children a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed them to forget their daily challenges.

Progeria Reunions

27 Years of Bringing Children with Progeria Together

In 1980, Sunshine Foundation helped make the dream of a young boy from South Africa named Fransie come true by bringing him and his family to Disneyland to meet Pinocchio. Fransie had Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare condition that causes rapid aging in children. After sharing his story, Sunshine Foundation began hearing from other families facing the same diagnosis. In response, Founder Bill Sample brought together children with Progeria from around the world so they would, as he said, “not feel alone.” What began as a single gathering grew into 27 Annual Progeria Reunions, creating lifelong friendships, raising global awareness, and helping shine a spotlight on a condition that would later become the focus of groundbreaking medical research.
Progeria Reunions