1. www.sunshine.org
Sunshine Studios
Reciprocating community support
“We’re really
talented. We all
have different
strengths, but
we all create
striking artwork.”
Large banks
of glass windows
break down barriers
between the artists
and the community.
“People feel invited to
stop in to see
what we’re about
or what the artists are working on,” said
studiomanagerJoanCampbell.“Uptown
Maumee has been a very welcoming,
happy place.”
Being in the heart of Maumee
allows the artists to reciprocate
community support. “We’re really
talented. We all have different strengths,
but we all create striking artwork,”said an
artist who did not want to be named.
Sunshine Studios was created to be a
collaborative art space. Local artists, coming in to
donate time and talent, build relationships with
the artists at Sunshine Studios.
“IlovevolunteeringherebecauseIleavewithmore
than I give. Always,”said volunteer Florence Seger.
If you’re interested in taking art classes
or volunteering at Sunshine Studios, please
contact Joan Campbell at 419-891-8877 or
jcampbell@sunshine.org.
Winter 2014
I
nAugust,SunshineStudiosopenedinuptown
Maumee. The artists not only have a larger
area to create their art, but also a new way
to showcase and sell their pieces.
The artists at Sunshine Studios used to work on
Sunshine’s main campus in two separate rooms with
limited public access. The new location
provides a community connection
that was previously nonexistent.
“Notonlydowehavemorespace,but
the pottery, weaving, and Super Saks are
all under the same
roof now,” said
Melissa Grimes,
a direct
s u p p o r t
professional
who works
with the Super Saks
program.
Sunshine Studios
artist Melissa loves
all the windows:
“It allows natural
sunlight to come
in, which helps
our creativity.”
“It also draws
people in,” artist
Tatiana added.

2. Sunshine Communities
Steven J. Nafziger – Chair
Lavon J.Welty –Vice Chair
Michael J. Beazley –Treasurer
Karen Rich Ruth – Secretary
Gary L. Byers
John Childress
Laura N. Hoag
Ruth M. Miller
Douglas J. Schmucker
Diane S.Tinsman
Laura B.Voth
Ellen U.Williams, Ph.D.
Sunshine Foundation, Inc.
Bob Buschur – Chair
Kevin Kelly -Vice Chair
Mary Mancini, CFRE – Secretary
Tyson Stuckey, CPA –Treasurer
Luther L. Gautsche
Karen E. Kerr
Robin Laird
Beth A. Savage
Sunshine Inc. Residential
& Support Services
Ellen U.Williams, Ph.D. – Chair
Douglas J. Schmucker –Vice Chair
Lavon J.Welty – Secretary/Treasurer
Lessie L. Cochran, Ph.D.
Diane Frazee
TerryTeufel
Interactive Financial Solutions
dba SOLANA
RobertW. Cabanski – Chair
Karen Rich Ruth –Vice Chair
Anthony J. Paparella – Secretary/Treasurer
Steven J. Nafziger
John E.Yoder
Sunshine Inc. Vocational Services
Michael J. Beazley – Chair
KathleenW. Korduki –Vice Chair
Karen E. Kerr – Secretary/Treasurer
Richard M. Anderson
Laura N. Hoag
Amy L. Struble
A Letter from the CEO
SpiritualLifeActivities
Elizabeth Holland, PhD
President & CEO
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
Charles Dickens, in opening A Tale of Two Cities, draws our
attention to the turbulent contradiction inherent in times of
change.
The hope of a better life draws us forward. The fear of losing what we
have holds us back. Hope and fear exist together as two extremes of the same promise.
At a public meeting last week I heard a woman describe what her life might have been
if she accepted what was offered when she graduated from high school. Her options? A
sheltered workshop -- that’s it. Oh, she might have adjusted. But she knew it would define
her, and not as the person she wanted to be. So she said no to the workshop, and got
herself a job, a marriage, and a family. She perfectly defines the hope before us in this
time of change; hope that every person with a disability will have real choices about
where to work, where to live, who to love. The“best of times”are what regulations and
funding now aim toward in the name of individual choice and life in the community.
At the same meeting, I heard people argue to keep choices made long ago. I heard
anxiety surface at the thought of trading the certainty of today for a promise that may
never be fulfilled. The possibility for “the worst of times” is what is being called into
question. Long-established organizations, state and private, see an uncertain future as
government demands change with little support to make it happen.
So here we are at Sunshine, acting on faith that we can navigate the changes required
and create opportunities to give people with disabilities real choices about where they
live and where they work. Government can demand change and redirect their dollars.
But at the end of the day, those of us who join together in community make change
happen. Our job is to bridge the distance between fear and hope and show people
the way to a new certainty that requires no accommodation to a life of less. Our
mission demands that we change, and that we ease peoples’fears as we do so.
Wecannotdoitalone.Creatinghomesandjobsinthecommunityrequirescultivation
of a community willing to be part of a grand endeavor. It takes employers and neighbors
willing to embrace the people we support as valued contributors. It takes donors willing
to help us build a home and fund the transition from fear to hope.
Charles Dickens also brought us A Christmas Carol. About one man’s transformation,
he wrote:“No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”Please
join us in helping people with disabilities find the promise of opportunity.
Sunshine Communities, Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts @Sunshine7223, @MyGeorgettes
GivingtoSunshineCommunities
As a faith-based organization, Sunshine recognizes the
spirituality of all in our community --- the individuals
we serve, as well as the staff who serve them.
While Sunshine is firm in its longstanding Mennonite affiliation,
we are a place of diversity. Our spiritual life department is
ecumenical, and we respect and affirm the religious traditions
and practices of those we serve.
VolunteersaretheheartofSunshine’sspiritual-lifeactivities. We
welcome faith communities and individuals who participate in
avarietyofways–throughworship,music,activities–butnone
more important than simply offering the gift of their presence.
In nurturing the spirituality of Sunshine’s individuals, we can
find our own soul is nourished. People might begin as “spiritual-
life volunteers.” But, over time, they often realize they’ve become
spiritual companions – and that they, too, have gained spiritual
companionship.
As the philosopher/theologian Jean Vanier wrote, people
with disabilities “do not have the same rationale intelligence and
capabilities as others, but at the same time they do not wear
masks…. They are more intuitive, spontaneous, and live closer to
the heart.”
Sunshine welcomes those who would wish to
“live closer to the heart” by journeying in spiritual
companionship with the individuals we serve. Come join us!
P eoplegivetoavarietyofcharitiesforavariety
of reasons. Long-time Sunshine donors
share why they give:
• “I give to Sunshine because the people served
are treated with respect and like family.”
• “Sunshine staff does a great job of helping people
with disabilities reach their potential. Contributing
to the cause, we not only show caring for the
individuals served, but also appreciation and
supporttothestaffandfamiliesofthoseSunshine
serves.”
• “I know that my giving helps enhance the lives
of people with disabilities at Sunshine.”
• “I owe a debt to Sunshine. The people at
Sunshine helped me and my family. But, why not
give to Sunshine? Everybody in my mind needs to
give.”
• “I know that Sunshine uses the funds wisely.”
Clearly, these long-time donors see the value of
stewardship come alive at Sunshine Communities
as community is created among people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donated
funds are used to purchase needed adaptive
equipment, purchase accessible vans, or support
programs like Spiritual Life, Community Recreation
and Sunshine Studios. Also, individuals served at
Sunshine are given choices about where to live
and where to work, further contributing to the
community and enhancing their lives.
Join the Sunshine community by making your
gift in 2014! If you are interested in knowing how
your gift will help create community for people
with disabilities at Sunshine Communities please
call Douglas Siebenaler 419-794-1393 or email
dsiebenaler@sunshine.org.
Happy holidays and happy giving!
JOIN US!
Beapartofour
mission!
Donate.Volunteer.
Make a difference.
i
“

3. SunshineTodaySunshine’s mission is to create community among
people with developmental disabilities, their families,
friends and staff. We do this by offering services that enable
all of us to build relationships that enhance our lives
through mutual caring and growth.
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
TOLEDO OH
PERMIT NO 811
7223 Maumee Western Rd.
Maumee, Ohio 43537-9656
419-865-0251
www.sunshine.org
www.sunshine.org
Walk, Run & Roll 2014 was another
succesfull event. Thank you everyone who
participated, volunteered or donated. A
special thanks to our walk sponsors:
For more information visit www.sunshine.org
Thanks Walk Sponsors
At the end of a worship service in the Spiritual Life Center, a new
volunteer was sobbing. I fetched her some tissues and then, seeing her
surrounded by fellow church volunteers, left her in peace.
Days later, I found out what provoked this weeping.
The pastor for these volunteers told me this woman’s time at Sunshine had “transformed
her.”A native of another country, she has a sister who lives back home with her parents. This
sister has a number of developmental disabilities, and it seems our new volunteer never
made the effort to communicate – she simply assumed her sister didn’t have the capacity to
engage.
But in the mere hour she spent worshipping with us, her assumptions were shaken to
the core. She told her pastor that from now on, in her weekly Skype sessions with family, she will make a
point to include her sister.
She sees her sister with different eyes now.
Most volunteers don’t have such dramatic experiences at Sunshine. But spending time with people served
by Sunshine offers everyone the potential gift of coming alive to a fellow child of God.
A “ministry of presence” is all that’s required. And sometimes, what’s given in return is a vision that’s wholly
renewed.
Changing Lives of Volunteers
Perspective from Roberta Durham, Sunshine’s Spiritual Life Coordinator
• Applied Medical
Technology
• Brookside Contracting
• Dave's Perfomance
Footgear
• Everence Financial
• Flex-Com
• Franklin Park Lincoln
• Fresh Cut Lawn Service
• GEM Inc.
• Gilmore, Jasion, &
Mahler, LTD
• K-100
• Key Bank
• Maumee Indoor Theater
• McKesson Medical-
Surgical
• Miller Diversified
Construction
• Minuteman Press
• Omnicare Inc
• PNC Bank
• Smitty's Automotive & RV
• Steve Grabke's Bodyshop,
Inc.
• The Trust Company of
Toledo
• Tranquility Products (PBE)
• V&A Risk Services
• Willis Group Holdings
Limited
• 107.7 The Wolf