As December rolls along and the holiday season draws near, we normally find ourselves giving thanks and prayers for the things we have been granted in our lives. Thanks for having our friends and family, and thanks for the amenities we possess. It is normally during this time that our generosity kicks in and we give back to the community that has supported us for the past 11 months. This holiday season, Professor Jim Monahan brings forth a fantastic philanthropic opportunity: one that should touch a special place in each of our hearts. A special part of his community involvement outside of the University, The Sunshine House is a project to be admired this holiday season.
The Sunshine House, set to open in Madison, will be the first children’s hospice and respite center in the state of Connecticut. The Sunshine House will be the second child’s hospice opened in the continental US. The facility, which will include approximately 10 different buildings, will aid those with terminal children in the bereavement process and hospital care. With medical professionals onboard like Eileen Gillan, MD, and CEO Amy Kuhner, The Sunshine House aims to provide the best support for the families of children with exceptional need.
Unlike hospitals or standard at home care, The Sunshine House will provide an elevated level of comfort to the families of children with terminal illnesses. The village will include town house style suite living, a common area for meals and other entertainment, an activity center for games, and a chapel for prayer and meditation. The village will also include a state of the art butterfly garden, where sick children can travel to play with some of the worlds most unique creates. For families with pets, The Sunshine House provides another unusual staple: a dormitory for the furriest member of the family. Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome to stay in the village to provide another aspect of love and support.
Professor Jim Monahan stressed the importance of the Sunshine House in an interview early last week, “The Sunshine House will provide a place of sanctuary for those individuals going through the extreme. By supporting The Sunshine House, you are supporting those families in the hardest times of their lives.”
The Sunshine House, which is expected to cost over 25 million dollars to build and run, will be completely free for the families of terminally ill children. These children, their family members, and their beloved pets can travel to The Sunshine House to live out those hardest days in peace and solitude. However, The Sunshine House cannot run without the generous contributions of the community. During this holiday season, consider donating to Connecticut’s first child hospice. Donation methods can be found at www.TheSunshineHouse.org.
