Home Press Releases Board of Trustees Links Directions   Contact the Foundation
History of Sunshine Our Founders The Engler Family Sunshine Today Role of the Sunshine Foundation Quilting & Sunshine Mailing List Click below to subscribe to the Sunshine Newsletter SUBSCRIBE Contact Sunshine Sunshine Foundation, Inc. 7223 Maumee Western Rd Maumee, OH 43537-9656 Phone: 419-865-0251 Fax: 419-865-9715 info@sunshinefnd.com	Our Founders The Engler Family Roy and Georgette Engler turned their personal struggle into a non-profit organization that has benefited hundreds of individuals with disabilities and their families over the years. The couple founded Sunshine Children's Home in 1950 after raising their own five children with mental retardation-twins Imogene and Geraldine, Roy Junior, Donald and Richard. Because they were experienced caregivers, the Englers felt called to help other families by providing care to children with mental retardation in a safe, loving and homelike environment. The Englers' personal tragedy could have been prevented today. But in the 1920s doctors knew little about the Rh factor and blood incompatibility. While Mr. Engler worked two jobs to support the family, Mrs. Engler was left at home to care for five special needs children. In that day there was no family support and the only alternative was to place the children in a state institution. After witnessing the deplorable condition in these facilities, the Englers vowed to never let their children become wards of the state. Despite their isolation and frequent despair, the Englers eventually decided to create their own children's home to "bring a little Sunshine" into the lives of needy children. They built a small building on their property on Maumee-Western Road and opened the doors to other families in need. The Englers provided loving care in a clean and safe environment and the home grew quickly. By the fall of 1952 they were caring for 23 children with just a small staff. Sunshine Children's Home grew rapidly and in 1960 oversight of the home was turned over to the Mennonite Church. That affiliation remains in effect to this day. Sunshine's mission to provide residential and support services to people with disabilities and their families is guided by the vision of the Engler family and the values of the Mennonite Church. The Englers' dream of a safe, loving place for their children has blossomed into a major organization that has enriched countless lives. We believe Roy and Georgette Engler would be proud of the work that Sunshine is doing today. Home | Donate | Board of Trustees | Links | Contact | Calendar | Volunteer Site Tools Privacy PolicyIRS Form 990 ©Sunshine Foundation, Inc. 2005   All Rights Reserved	Our Mission: Helping fund residential and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families served by Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio.  Donate Financial Contributions Donate Items  Volunteer Opportunities Contact Us  Get Involved Black Swamp Benefit Walk with Sunshine  Calendar 6/19/2009 - 6/20/2009   8th Annual Black Swamp Benefit Bazaar  Latest News Press Releases Download Newsletter