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Y-Serve

Project Sunshine

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What is Project Sunshine?

Project Sunshine is a global nonprofit dedicated to delivering the healing power of play to children with medical needs. We achieve this mission through the work of passionate volunteers who assemble Sending Sunshine activity kits filled with supplies, toys, and crafts for children staying in pediatric hospitals across the country. We also collaborate monthly with the Brade's Place, a pediatric palliative care facility, where volunteers spend time playing with children who have life-altering illnesses and disabilities. Our goal: uplift an underserved population that needs joy, laughter, and light in their darkest times.

Project Sunshine Video

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Volunteers stand at a table and fill yellow plastic project sunshine bags with art supplies.
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Art supplies and paper are on top of a table while volunteers write notes.
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A group of volunteers are in an assembly line of filling project sunshine yellow plastic bags.
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How do I get involved?

Volunteer Description: Volunteers will engage in a variety of activities—such as crafts, building with Legos, and conversation—with children who have special needs or disabilities at a pediatric palliative care facility. If you’re interested in joining, please email us at projectsunshine@byu.edu to add you into our Microsoft Teams chat.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Volunteers are welcome to attend all three events each month, just one, or whenever their schedule allows—there is no set requirement. Our palliative care volunteers serve for two hours once a month on a Saturday at Brade’s Place (248 North 50 East, Orem, UT 84057). Carpooling is provided from campus to the facility and back. Volunteers meet 30 minutes before the scheduled event time at the WSC Roundabout (for example, if the event starts at 6:30 p.m., meet at 6:00 p.m. for departure). On-campus events are held Thursday evenings from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Volunteers may stay for as little as 10 minutes or the full hour, and some even linger afterward to finish up crafts or conversations.

Upcoming events will be posted here and on the Y-Serve Calendar. Contact the program leaders below with any questions.

In order to be updated immediately about any news, updates, or events, join our Microsoft Teams here!

Upcoming activities:

  • December 6th: Family Holiday Party at Brades' Place
    • 8:30-10:30 AM at 248 North 50 East in Orem
    • Support children with medical complexities and make some new friends!

BECOME A LEADER

Volunteer Leader Description: There are two kinds of leadership positions: Lead Program Director and Program Director. A program only has one Lead Program Director, but multiple program directors. Leaders are generally responsible for overseeing recruitment, retention, and reflection with volunteers. They also coordinate service with community partners and ensure their program runs smoothly. Volunteer leaders may also share the responsibilities of volunteers as outlined in the Volunteer Description. For more information, visit our section called Be a Leader!

Volunteer Leader Commitment: In addition to volunteering, Volunteer leaders commit to a 1-hour monthly team meeting to discuss needs and make plans for the program.

STEP 1:

Apply to become a leader by completing the application below:

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Program Director Application

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Contact Info

Directors

Available by email at projectsunshine@byu.edu

Ben Davis, Lead Program Director

907-888-7000
Office Hour: Fridays 9:30-10:30 AM

Alberto Trujano

562-955-8755

Caleb Worthington

907-651-8510

Mia Mendoza

916-755-1703
Office Hour: Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 AM

Tanner Perez

951-310-1291
We got to work with kids with disabilities at Brades' Place this semester, and it was so amazing. Playing with these kids and helping give their families & parents a break from the mental load of having a child with disabilities was so awesome. So many families expressed how grateful they were to be able to have a short break and also to see their kids be happy.
Program Director
When serving soup to families with disabilities, one family had visible stress on their minds. I was so thankful I could relieve them of this one little thing like a lunch.
Program Director
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