A Sunny Beginning
Pockets Full of Sunshine was founded in 2015. Two special educators, Dayna Dehlinger and Laurin Rivers jointly had the idea and paired up with Carol and RJ Bartholomew, who were the parents of a young adult with special needs nearing graduation from high school.
The four were a dynamic team who instinctively recognized a great need for increased services for special adults as they had observed the decline of so many as they aged out of school and other services at 21, with nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Together they sought to solve the problem and formed this 501c3, non-profit organization to carry out their mission.
Here Comes the Sun…
A Label Becomes The Sun
The inspiration of the symbol for Pockets Full of Sunshine originated from a piece of non-recyclable plastic manufactured by a labeling company named The Whitlam Group in Detroit, MI. The punched out, discarded center of a label that goes over a brake fluid cap looked just like a small yellow sunshine. And thousands were being discarded every day!
The discarded, unused center reminded the founders of the bright and sunny disposition of individuals with special needs, inspiring the creation of Pockets Full of Sunshine. Saving this piece of plastic also sparked a core value of the organization -- sustainability!
Laurin, Dayna and Carol had a vision for the first job local adults with special needs could do and arranged for the "sunshines" to be rescued from the Michigan landfill and sent to Hilton Head Island where they would be recycled and re-purposed. The first two adults that Pockets would serve used the sunshines to create greeting cards, gift tags, magnets, and stationery. During this time, they also coined the term, “Ray” an endearing reference to their adults, as they are truly rays of sunshine.
Shining Bright and Growing All the Time
The sun has continued to shine and PFS now serves nearly 60 Rays, with that number increasing monthly. The Rays continue to produce sunshine products along with a litany of other hand made goods that they create during their weekly craft and social sessions.
Laurin, Carol, Dayna, and RJ are now joined by dozens of volunteers and have gained the support of local businesses to grow the organization and enrich the lives of hundreds of people through their outreach and endeavors. The “Sunshine Family” includes not only the Rays and their families, but the founders’ families as well. From grandparents to babies, PFS is truly a family affair, with the genuine love, joy and light it brings felt by generations. A visit to Pockets Full of Sunshine will leave an impression that lasts a lifetime, and we feel certain it will be the first of many.