Sunshine Kids Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Sunshine Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization established in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...

 in 1982 by housewife/volunteer Rhoda Tomasco that provides a variety of free programs and events for children who are receiving cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

 treatments in hospitals across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

.

Since 2001, the executive director of the Sunshine Kids Foundation has been actor G.W. Bailey, who has volunteered with the group for over fifteen years since being introduced to the organization by his goddaughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1982.

The Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...

, a group dedicated to the evaluation of charity groups, gave The Sunshine Kids Foundation its highest rating of four stars in 2006. In 2004, the group had a total revenue of over $1.9 million, and spent nearly $1.3 million on program expenses.

The most well-known supporters of The Sunshine Kids are Bailey and retired Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...

 legend Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...

, who has been the organization's national spokesperson for more than 10 years. He wore a Sunshine Kids pin on his hat during Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...

for over 15 years, the majority of his career. It also appeared on his '3000 hits' banner when he reached the historic milestone during his final season.

External links

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