Bill Sample

"The surest path to happiness is in losing yourself in a cause greater than yourself."

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Bill Sample is a former Philadelphia police officer. In the 1960's, Bill's beat included a children's hospital. Encountering many critically ill children, he was touched by the unfairness of their plight. Bill learned that many of these families were burdened not only by mounting medical bills, but also by the frustration of not being able to provide their children's dream. Forging many friendships with those young children, Bill began asking them, "What would be your one special dream?"

Anguished by these insights, Bill enlisted the help of nine men and women who also shared his concern.  In 1976, he took out a personal loan and, with the help of the others, began the Sunshine Foundation and started making dreams come true for these truly deserving children.  Sunshine's dedicated volunteers and staff were, and staff still are, the original Dream Makers®.

The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization in the nation, having granted over 323,000 dreams to seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children since that founding day in 1976.

The most common dream request that Sunshine receives is a trip to Central Florida attractions, followed by requests for computers and other special gifts like meeting favorite celebrities.  Through Sunshine's generous donors and it's adopt-a-dream program, individuals and businesses can help make these dreams a reality.  Sunshine's success is largely due in part to volunteer chapters throughout the nation.  Because the Foundation has a very small staff and many dedicated volunteers, they are able to give over 84% of donated funds directly towards helping the children!

Bill definitely started some serious joy scattering!!

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