The Love Project for Sunnybrook Children’s Home

Editor’s Note: We have included t-shirt and donations forms for this wonderful project. If you would like to contribute, simply right click on the form and print it from your computer. Today is a good day at PorchScene. We are so happy to be able to help promote this Labor of Love. Please helps us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and followers. 

What do you remember about your childhood? Most of us grew up outside – riding bikes,
climbing trees, playing tag, and just being kids. Many people ask as they drive by the
Sunnybrook Campus, “Why aren’t the kids outside?

“Sunnybrook Children’s Home was chartered as a non-profit Christian childcare organization by the State of Mississippi on December 10, 1963. Founders Alonzo Welch, Clark Stringer, H. J. Massie, J. C. Redd and Robert M. Moon began this benevolent service to children in rented quarters on North Street in Jackson, Mississippi on June 1, 1964. Later, because of increased demands for services, a second house was opened on Jefferson Street in December 1964. Before June 1, 1967, these temporary locations comprised the total operation until moving to our present location on Sunnybrook Road in Ridgeland, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson.

www.creativecommons.org

Sunnybrook Children’s Home is licensed by the State of Mississippi to provide residential care for male and female children from ages six through twenty who meet the criteria for basic care. Children considered appropriate for basic care are those who are capable of functioning in a family environment as part of the community. Children come to Sunnybrook through the Department of Human Services, the courts, churches and private family placements. Traditionally, most of the children come from Mississippi.Sunnybrook’s mission is to help society’s children who have had challenging beginnings in their young lives. The programs and services offered are designed to provide a sense of community, promote social skills, foster healing and reconciliation of the past. The campus itself can be a source of inspiration for kids of all ages.”

– www.sunnych.net

Some of the best childhood memories are made outside: roasting marshmallows around an open fire, looking up at the stars, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, sitting on a swing on a
early fall evening. Currently, there is no location on the property to accommodate a large
group for outdoor gatherings or to provide age-appropriate outdoor activities. In addition,
many of the children have siblings in different houses on the property. Having a place for
these siblings to meet, play, and eat together is essential to foster a sense of family.

As we continue to improve the campus environment at Sunnybrook, we try to focus on giving the children the most “normal” life experience while they are here. These kids have gone through far more than we can ever imagine in their young lives. Sunnybrook provides a safe place for them with a family environment to help create some lasting memories.

We have assembled a group to design, plan, and build an outdoor covered grilling pavilion with tables and chairs as well as an activity area with trellises, swings, a life-sized checkers and chess board, bocce ball court, and gardens.

We call it The Love Project. In order to achieve our goal, we need your support. We need to
raise $150,000 to cover the cost of materials and labor and will also accept donations of
materials approved by our lead contractor.

Attached you will find a list of ways you can help support The Love Project and an invitation to our Groundbreaking ceremony on February 15, 2014. We will have activities for the kids, a tour of the proposed project site, and refreshments. We will also be selling t-shirts and bricks to support the project.

Follow us on Facebook to see the project and t-shirt designs, as well as, to get updates on the progress of the project at www.facebook.com/theloveprojectforsunnybrookchildrenshome.

Please feel free to contact one of the volunteers listed below for more information on this
project and other ways to show your support for Sunnybrook.

Wendy Herring – 601-573-8052

Angie P. Pulliam – 601-955-7904

Camille C. Richards – 601-672-0396

Thank you again for your generous support and we look forward to working with you on

The Love Project.
Sincerely,
SUNNYBROOK CHILDREN’S HOME

P.O. BOX 4871, JACKSON, MS 39296
e-mail: sunnybrookloveproject@yahoo.com