Christina Kiser, Public Relations Administrator, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home now has a donation bin placed at the CVS on Dobson and Riggs Road for clothing and shoe donations, which go to benefit the children’s home.

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home provides a loving, wholesome, Christian home for children who are separated from their parents and helps them establish long-term relationships with stable parental figures, preparing them for success in adult life. The children placed at Sunshine Acres come from various situations where their parents may be suffering from homelessness, incarceration, illness, financial instability, etc. These children are given a stable home and house parents to care for them with the idea of giving these children the chance at a better life. There are seven homes on property, which provide housing for up to 70 children at any given time, and various programs available for the children to get involved in, such as choir, 4-H, horse show team, flag football, and more. Sunshine Acres does not take any state or federal funding for the care of the children, but relies on donations from the surrounding community. The founders, Jim and Vera Dingman, said, “God impressed upon us very strongly that this was His work … We were to take care of the children, and He would take care of the finances.” And He most definitely has!

Aside from the children’s home, Sunshine Acres also has three stores: the Mesa Resale store, the Boutique, and the Apache Junction Furniture & More store. All the items sold in the stores have been generously donated by the surrounding community for resale, which goes to benefit the children’s programs. Items that are not ripped, torn, stained, or damaged are accepted through the drive, through the donation center, or by calling 480-981-4114 to schedule a donation pick-up. The children’s home also accepts new donations of clothing, personal hygiene items, food, and school supplies for the children, at the front office. For more information on donations, volunteering, or scheduling a tour, please call the front office at 480-832-2540.