The role of a Sunshine Volunteer_
The Sunshine Fund has been operating its holiday centre for children, Sunshine House, for 70 years. Boys and girls aged between 7 and 11 are nominated for the holiday programme by the network of SVP Conference spread across the Greater Dublin area stretching from Arklow to Athy to Ardee to Drogheda. Special holiday packages are also organised for children from outside this area. The holiday centre is purpose built and equipped to host over 1,300 children annually in a season of 16 week-long (Saturday to Saturday) holidays.
The operation is managed by SVP volunteers. Over 270 volunteers help out on the holiday programme annually. "There is something really satisfying about being involved in the provision of holidays for children. It is possibly the easiest task of any SVP Conference", says Paul Davitt, Sunshine Fund member. "Its amazing to think that a week's holiday beside the sea at Sunshine House is often the most cherished childhood memory for many boys and girls in this city. I come across it time and time again: men and women whose lasting childhood memory is of building sandcastles in Balbriggan."
Many boys and girls return much later in life to volunteer some of their time to a new generation of children. It takes at least over 270 volunteers, in teams up to 20, supported by a paid catering and household staff of 20 to operate the holiday centre.
Men and women from all walks of life and all ages offer seven days of their Summer to care for each group of up to 100 children on holidays, organise and supervise play, and of course have lots and lots of fun.
"We provide each boy and girl with everything they need to have the perfect holiday break", says Jill Smith, head of the Sunshine Fund. "Everything from a bucket and spade to a raincoat is made available so that our guests have a wonderful time. However, it is the unique gift of the time our volunteers give to care for and play with our guests that make the holidays special".
