Sunshine Place Volunteers Make a BIG Difference |
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Happy Volunteer Appreciation!
As we celebrate our amazing volunteers this month across all of our programs, we want to take a moment to recognize all of the incredible things our volunteers help Sunshine Place accomplish in our shared community for those who need it the most. Whether you shop with clients at KiDs Closet, stock the pantry shelves, deliver beds and |
bedding to kids, or provide essential community support services, your contribution matters.
Every day we are in awe of all that our volunteers bring to Sunshine Place, and by the generosity and care they give every time they show up. Our volunteers are at the heart of every program, every event, and every new initiative we undertake, and we do not take that for granted. |
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We could not do what we do without the support of our volunteers.
We are truly grateful that of all of the places to give back, you choose to give your time and energy to Sunshine Place. Big or small, short-term or long-term, all of it makes a huge difference to those who depend on our services.
THANK YOU for all that you do! |
Earth Day also falls in April, and there are so many ways that our volunteers help us promote sustainability through our programs! |
Would you like to become a part of the Sunshine Place volunteer team? Click here to learn more about current volunteer opportunities. |
Prom Dress Pop-Up Event Recap |
In the Sunshine Supper program space usually reserved for cooking and serving around 500 free weekly meals, we saw a new kind of magic happen, as it became the “shopping” center for our second annual Prom Pop-Up Event. With costs high everywhere, many families struggle to pay for expensive prom dresses and accessories that can run up to hundreds of dollars. This event gave students who want to celebrate this high school milestone the chance to find something for prom that makes them feel confident and comfortable, for FREE.
For four days volunteers transformed the empty space into racks of glitter and tulle, tables of heels, costume jewelry and nail polish, filling all of the available floor space with hundreds of prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. We opened our program doors to Dane County students browsing for their perfect prom attire while volunteers stayed close at hand to make the experience special, with dress alterations, snacks, and music playing softly in the background. |
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With the help of our incredible community donors and amazing volunteers, we were able to help 140 students find items for prom. That’s over 5x the number of students we served last year. We are so grateful to everyone who supported this event, allowing us to open it to all Dane County students who might benefit.
This event required extensive planning, and the bulk of that planning came from our incredible lead volunteer team (pictured above), who gave over 396 hours of their time organizing and carrying out this event. |
Special thanks to one of our lead volunteers, Christi, for collecting prom dress donations at her local business, Sunny Nutrition, so that we had the additional space to keep some of the donated dresses until the event. And to event volunteer Betsy, who drove from Middleton on the first shopping day to help alter dresses for students onsite. She planned to come just the one day, but when she saw the need for her skills, she changed her plans and made the drive every day of the Prom Pop-Up event to make dress alterations for any student who needed it. |
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Additional thanks to Greenbush Bakery for donating baked goods daily so students had something sweet to munch on while they browsed, and to the volunteers who made the atmosphere feel welcoming by providing fresh baked goods, snacks and drinks, and even setting up a dirty soda bar. Thank you to every single person who played a part in making this experience so special for everyone who came, and to every student and their family who trusted us with this important moment.
As we recap, we are already planning for next year's event, and taking lessons learned from this year to make the next event even more impactful and meaningful for those who participate. Stay tuned!
Sunshine Place’s Prom Pop-Up event is an offshoot of our KiDs Closet program, which is a free clothing resource for school-aged children in the Sun Prairie and Marshall school districts. Referred families can select clothing in a private and compassionate 30-minute appointment, up to four times a year. Click here to learn more. |
"My daughter said yes to the dress today. She is so satisfied with what she found. Dresses are so expensive and we even got jewelry and shoes." |
“This is a Godsend for my family this year. My granddaughter who has been working since she was 14 has always bought her own prom dresses. After an injury, she has been unable to work since winter. Today she found a dress at Sunshine Place.” |
Save the Date for our annual fundraising event! |
Sunshine Place's KiDs Closet program (formerly C.A.R.D.S. Closet) provides referred families with a FREE, private, dignified, 30-minute shopping appointment for their children, 4 times a year.
KiDs Closet is now collecting spring clothing! ALL donated items should be gently used/like new. See the flyer below for details and click here or scan the QR code below to browse our wishlist to have donations shipped to us directly:
*Please note: We will also continue to collect winter gear year-round, in an effort to be well-prepared for the colder season. |
(All donations can be dropped off inside the KiDs Closet donation bin at 1632 W. Main St., open Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM)
Click here to learn more about KiDs Closet or click the button below and choose "KiDs Closet" from the donation options drop-down to donate funds directly to the program. |
Staff Spotlight: Catie Badsing,
Food Resource Coordinator |
How long have you worked at Sunshine Place?
I've been at the pantry 4 years in July. The pantry merged with Sunshine Place in 2023, so either 3 or 4 years, depending on how you count it!
What is one of your favorite memories from working here?
When I started, the pantry was still operating with a drive-through model due to the COVID pandemic (we reopened for in-person shopping my second week). A woman drove through to get groceries for her mother, who was elderly and couldn't drive. She handed me a $20 bill and said that she couldn't afford to buy her mom groceries, but was so grateful to be able to take care of her with our help. I also love seeing the friendships that form in and among the shoppers and volunteers.
What do you wish more people knew about Sunshine Place and/or about your role here?
That my role is to facilitate the work of the volunteers, and I love seeing new volunteers come in with ideas and energy, and take ownership of the work here. It really feels like a community!
What can people find you doing when you're not at work?
In good weather I'm gardening, volunteering at the Northside Farmers Market, or chasing my kids around! In bad weather I'm crocheting, cooking, reading... and chasing my kids around!
What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?
I love bar trivia and karaoke, but I don't get out to the bars much these days. Hopefully that season will come again! |
"Just had a call with a mom returning to work after weeks of hospital visits. We helped her with housing and utility assistance. She said to me, 'Thank you so much, honey, you literally saved the day.' "
- Sunshine Place Housing Assistance staff |
Are you a Sunshine Place client, volunteer, or donor with a story to share? Send your stories to socialmedia@sunshineplace.org or, fill out our online story form. All stories stay anonymous unless otherwise requested by a client. |
Neighbors Helping Neighbors |
We are so grateful to the groups, businesses, and individuals who have recently volunteered, donated, and organized drives or events to support our mission. Sunshine Place programs are possible thanks to our community’s generosity and commitment to helping one another.
Below are just a few photo highlights showcasing recent support. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more stories of impact and kindness. |
A record number of families and individuals are turning to us for help with food, housing, and other essential needs. Your support ensures our neighbors can find hope and help at Sunshine Place when they need it most. Thank you! |
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