BACKYARD BLOG

Client Spotlight: Sunshine Acres Children’s Home

Nov.15.2020

Since 1954, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home has been a sanctuary for orphaned or abandoned children who need love and care. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operates without state or federal funding. In fact, when Reverend James and Vera Dingman founded Sunshine Acres in 1954, they swore to “never solicit money, a board, or a brick, and that no child would ever be turned away for financial reasons”.

Since that time, Sunshine Acres has housed and helped more than 2,000 children and is the kind of client Mesa Awning is proud to stand behind. Since 2015, Mesa Awning has completed various awning and deck covering projects for different property buildings. Here are some of the highlights.

Where It Began

In 2015, Mesa Awning joined Pondscapes and Aquascape Pond Squad to create a fun and unique outdoor setting for Sunshine Acres. The new project included a new pond with a waterfall feature, and Mesa Awning provided coverings made out of our baked enamel. As we know, Arizona heat and sun can make things extremely hot, making many months throughout the year unpleasant. Using baked enamel coverings, we were able to provide Sunshine Acres with a cool place where teachers and children could enjoy the shade for outdoor classes.

We also installed a cover over an outdoor kitchen and dining area, where countless meals have been shared over the years. We chose this baked enamel material because it’s durable, won’t rot, remains termite-free, and won’t crack, chip, or peel under the hot Arizona sun.

How It’s Going

Since that day in 2015, the relationship between Mesa Awning and Sunshine Acres has blossomed. We’ve been privileged to be part of nearly two dozen projects on the property. Some of our favorites have included coverings we’ve put up near the pool and over the pool equipment. We’ve used everything from our Newport Solid Alumawood® and Laguna Lattice, which provides plenty of outdoor shade with just two inches of spacing between each slat. 

Additionally, we’ve worked hard to provide Sunshine Acres with several different awning designs on the property using our Spanish brown Alumawood® material. Not only do these awnings provide plenty of shade necessary for so many children and adults in one place, but they are also easy to maintain. We’ve used only the best materials for Sunshine Acres, ensuring the safety and structural integrity of all their outdoor spaces, so Reverend James and Vera never have to worry about groundskeeping or repainting these additions.

We’ve also been a part of the “Oasis in The Desert & Petting Zoo”, “McCarthy Park”, and “FITPARK by Valley Partnership” projects, which all do well to serve the children who find themselves at Sunshine Acres.

We Love the Mission

One of the reasons we love working with Sunshine Acres is because we know our products and projects will never go unappreciated. Sunshine Acres has established itself as a safe place for children who need a hand-up and not a hand-out. And the need for their sanctuary is growing. This year has been particularly challenging for children, and the home is seeing more children affected by homelessness and poverty. The goal is for Sunshine Acres to grow to 10 houses, yet the organization needs the operational funds to do so. To this day, Sunshine Acres remains constant in their belief against accepting federal or state aid and continues to receive gracious gifts from private donors.

Learn More About Us

Our entire Mesa Awning team loves our Phoenix, AZ, community, and all those that stand behind the various charities here in our city. We are proud to provide our services to Sunshine Acres and all the residents and businesses in the area. If you’re looking for a new carport, awning, or pergola for your backyard or landscape, contact us today at (480) 969-4064 to get a free quote now!.

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