We got in the van and picked up Gloria and a friend, Sharon.
We went to a beautiful, and meaningful place called "Sunshine Acres Children's Home".
Our tour was for 2 PM, so we first went to the Thrift Shop and Boutique which is run by volunteers. We have been to these two things before.
Our tour started with a video and then about 20 people got on two sort of golf carts that were open with bench like seats.
Sunshine Acres is a long-term residential home for children whose families are unable to provide care for a variety of reasons.
Initial placement is a minimum of 12 months. Once admitted a child may stay as long as needed, even through college. Generally boys and girls are ages 5 through 15, and the children come from families experiencing:
Homelessness
Incarceration
Challenges with an adopted child
Chronic or terminal health issues
Each of these children attend school and work on the large complex. They are taught to garden, both vegtable and flowers. They have Steers and Horses on the property and some have entered the steers in the county fair. They eat all of their meals in the dining room, which we toured, Monday - Friday. On weekends they cook and eat in their dorms. Each dorm has live-in parents.
We toured a boys dorm and a girls dorm. They were beautiful. They are taught to keep their dorms neat and clean. Each one houses the live-in parents and about 8 children.
One of the largest support and donors for the complex is former quarterback, Kurt Warner.
Every Christmas eve or Christmas Day he comes with his family to spend time at the home. He has also donated lots of furniture and other things.
It was such an emotional thing to see. Definetely worth seeing and supporting.
Pat had Pudge put a Turkey in the oven so we had a short happy hour and then it was time to peel potatoes and set the table. The meal was delicious.
1 comment:
This was one of my favorite days of the trip. I am so impressed with the love given to these kids and am praying the work will continue to grow. Great photos!
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