Hails from NJ but HHI has been home since 1983! Married her high school sweetheart and has a trio of cherubs, Annie, Sally & James. A graduate from Ithaca College, she enjoyed a professional career in marketing and video production but her greatest education and joy is being a parent and raising a family to include a special needs daughter. On any given day you may see one of her family members at PFS, they are all involved, committed and passionate with our noble cause. PFS is her happy place, where she loves the vibrant and cheerful energy. Carol is famous for taking many pictures and told us she currently has over 30k on her cell phone! Her favorite subject to capture is of course the illuminating and contagious smiles of the Rays. One of her favorite things about PFS is eavesdropping on conversations among Rays…there is no judgement, no filter, just honesty, purity and simple humor! The Rays are truly the teachers of life and put everything in perspective, if only we could all live in that same world. When not at PFS, you can find her sharing time with Mother Nature gardening, walking on the beach or traveling and exploring colorful cultures & land.

Dayna received her degree in special education from East Carolina University. She taught in both resource and self-contained special education classrooms in the Beaufort County School District for 7 years and in Charleston County prior to that. Dayna, who is originally from Detroit, along with the help of her brother, brought the ‘sunshine’ to South Carolina, and thus inspired the co-founding of Pockets. Dayna lives with her husband Ryan and her two adorable children, Rowan and Sylvie. Dayna oversees our Community Access Programming and Screen Printing Microbusiness. Dayna says “My favorite thing about working with the Rays is their pure pride in creating, be it a craft item or piece of apparel. They all have such a big role in the planning, creating, packaging and then eventually selling of the item, it’s a very cool process to witness! Their positive energy is electrifying and keeps our momentum moving forward!”

Originally from Tennessee, Laurin has been a South Carolinian since her graduation from Clemson University. There she met her husband Robert, a Hilton Head Island native who brought her to the LowCountry. A clinically certified Speech Language Pathologist, she spent six years in the Beaufort County School District before shifting her full time focus to growing Pockets Full of Sunshine and raising her two young children, Amelia and Wilson. Professionally, Laurin always had an affinity for serving older students with disabilities, making Pockets Full of Sunshine a natural fit. One of her favorite parts of working with the Rays is watching the relationships they build with her children, as Pockets Full of Sunshine is truly a ‘family’. Her favorite thing to share about PFS is an invitation for others to come spend time with the Rays, because as she says, “It’s impossible to have a bad day after being with them”. Laurin enjoys reading, cooking, writing and spending active time with her family, enjoying all the island has to offer!

Alex received his Masters of Science in Developmental Disabilities and concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has worked as a Community Service Provider. Additionally, Alex is CPR certified and has his Class A CDL. Alex spends a significant amount of time volunteering for Special Olympics and other organizations serving adults with disabilities. Alex works as both a community access coach and Assistant Friday Night Coordinator for Pockets Full of Sunshine. Alex’s favorite thing about working with Pockets Full of Sunshine is immersing the Rays in community events and in turn, watching the community at large realize just how wonderful and valuable the Rays truly are.

A true native of Hilton Head Island, Annie has always loved the charm of the Low Country. She studied at the University of South Carolina where she attended every football game she could and upon graduation became an event planner. In addition to her passion of event planning she also thoroughly loves to travel. Her zest for travel has led her to 38 countries and counting, and the opportunity to live in 2 cities abroad and New York City. When not jet setting the world, Annie's keen interest for people, love of family and friends, and appreciation for all things beautiful has HHI calling her home! Annie has been involved with Pockets as her parents are co-founders and sister is one of the rays. You can't have a bad day when you are hanging with the Ray's and she loves the different abilities and personalities they bring to Pockets, particularly watching them interact with one another and their “no filter” commentary. Annie loves knowing that when at Pockets, she is helping make someone’s day better, and she is delighted to witness how well PFS has been accepted and supported by their community. Her favorite thing to do in the low country is to be surrounded by nature and boat days!

Paula is married to John, a retiree, and mother to two sons, Aaron and Matthew and daughter in law Lindsay, who recently made her a doting grandmother to a precious baby girl. She and John enjoy visiting her children in South Dakota any time of year! Paula lived and taught in New York (Carthage) and South Carolina for over 18 years as a Certified Special Education teacher (Birth - 12 grade). Upon retirement from teaching, Paula became involved with Pockets Full of Sunshine where she loves to let her creative juices flow! Her favorite PFS craft activity is handmade cards and she says her favorite part of working with the Rays is watching them complete a task and how excited they get to share those accomplishments with others. When not creating at PFS she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, organizing, and relaxing at the beach.

Husband married to, Carol, (a relentless, selfless mother of their 3 fabulous children), grew up in New Jersey, formally educated in NH, arrived in Hilton Head in 1983, PFS trustee .Prior to running his own consultancy, R. J. was the Executive Vice President of a Chicago based, International consulting firm, where he was affiliated for 26 years. He worked in a myriad of industries, serving Fortune 100 clients, whose executives were who’s who in the business world. R. J. viewed every opportunity as a series of “teachable moments”, which is why he finds working with PFS very appealing. “Being part of a team that supports adults who need it the most, is a rewarding gift that motivates one to tackle any challenge that comes along.”