Spread a Little Sunshine Movement at WINNERS and HomeSense Raises $950,000 to Make Dreams Come True

LONDON, ON, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - During the month of August, WINNERS and HomeSense customers across the country helped Spread a Little Sunshine by purchasing decals for $2, $5, or $10 in support of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, making dreams come true for children living with severe physical disability or life-threatening illness.

"We are pleased to share that, thanks to the generosity of our customers and associates, we have raised more than $950,000 to support The Sunshine Foundation of Canada through the 2016 Spread a Little Sunshine campaign," said Erin O'Brien, spokesperson for WINNERS & HomeSense.  "We are continually inspired by both our generous customers and our partnership with such a meaningful organization, whose efforts help to make dreams come true for children each and every day." 

WINNERS and HomeSense has been a national dream partner for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada since 1999, raising over $9.5 million to support Sunshine Dream Programs. It is because of the generosity of caring supporters like WINNERS and HomeSense that Sunshine has fulfilled over 8,000 dreams since 1987 and coordinated over 60 group trips to Disney on their Sunshine DreamLifts.

"We are deeply moved by the tremendous effort of our national dream partner WINNERS and HomeSense and by the generosity of their customers for helping make dreams come true," says Sunshine CEO, Nancy Sutherland.  "The funds raised during Spread a Little Sunshine will make a real impact on children's lives, providing them with life-changing experiences that inspire confidence, optimism, and independence."

"These funds will go a long way," says Sutherland. "Every Sunshine child that visited WINNERS and HomeSense in August, or who saw or heard media related to the campaign, knows that they have many people who believe in them and want their dreams to come true. It's exciting for them and it is my privilege to thank everyone on their behalf."

For more information about the Spread a Little Sunshine program, visit www.sunshine.ca/spreadalittlesunshine

ABOUT THE SUNSHINE FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Sunshine is a national Canadian charity impacting the lives of children living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses by making their dreams come true. Sunshine's Dream Programs give the children they serve the opportunity to experience freedom from their daily regimens and challenges by having their dreams transformed into reality, impacting them with a sense of independence, confidence, and empowerment that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.  Sunshine has two Dream Programs: Sunshine Dreams, which can range from family trips to meeting a hero to customized gifts, and Sunshine DreamLift which is a whirlwind 'day of yes' adventure to a Disney theme park for a large group of children. Since its inception in 1987, Sunshine has fulfilled more than 8,000 dreams for children across Canada and coordinated 61 Sunshine DreamLifts. For more information, visit www.sunshine.ca or follow us on Twitter: @SunshineFound.

ABOUT WINNERS AND HOMESENSE
WINNERS and HomeSense are a division of TJX Canada, owned by The TJX Companies, Inc., the world's largest off-price retailer. With over 354 stores nationwide, WINNERS and HomeSense offer Canadians brand name and designer fashions and home décor at up to 60% less than department and specialty stores, every day. For more information, please visit www.winners.ca or www.homesense.ca . 

SOURCE Sunshine Foundation of Canada

Lauren Redman, Manager, Marketing & Communications, The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, Phone: [phone] x 221; Email: [email protected]