Sunshine School plans growth Special needs educators raise building funds JILLIAN HICKS copy editor The Sunshine School, a special needs education facility at 304S. Sowell St., will host a flea market fund-raiser Saturday, March4, at the Carmichael Community Center in Searcy. the flea market will aid the building fund, Morris said. In 2005, the proceeds of the flea market totaled around$8,ooo. Dunn said $2,oooof the total was given by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, which will match up to $2,ooo of the proceeds. The flea market, which is an an– nual event, is the only fund-raiser organized by the "We're in desperate need of [a new building]." The new building site was donated to the school. school, Charity CHARITYMORRIS, Morris, Sunshine Sunshine S(hool ~wetory "Right now, we have the property [and] we have an architect, [but] we need money," Dunn said. School secretary, said. In addition to this fund-raiser, the school is funded largely through in– dividual and group donations and The United Way. At the flea market, donated items will be sold. Although they are not accepting clothes, Morris said that any other item, regardless of size, will be accepted. 'They'reall donated through– out the year," Mary Lou Dunn, Sunshine School director, said. "We have three storage build– ings full." In addition to operating costs, the school is currently raising funds to build new facilities. Morris said the school, which was founded in 1965, needs a new building to meet the con– tinually growing needs of the community. 'Thisone's old andworn out," Morris said. "We're in desperate need of [a new] one. We're at max capacity, and we've got a very long waiting list." Most of the proceeds from The total funds needed for the building project will be determined after the architect finalizes the plans, Dunn said. When the building cost is established, the school will become more vigorous in soliciting donations. Morris said they are anxious for the building to begin. "We're hoping to start on it by the beginning of the next school year," Morris said. "We will be able to have 12 classrooms, instead of seven, and 100 students. We've got 6o now." Because oflimited available space, the school is currently using portable classrooms to accommodate students. Dunn said she believes a larger build– ing will allow the school to run more smoothly and continue its work. "Lots ofgood things are going on in those classrooms," Dunn said. "We've had to grow that way, but when we're under one roof, it will work a lot better." Morris and Dunn said Harding students have shown support for the school through monetary donations and service projects. Morris said social clubs and organizations have hosted events for the students, helped with building maintenance and donated money. "The JOY Club comes on a regular basis," Dunn said. "We have various clubs call often." In addition to the JOY Club, Ko Jo Kai has planned and participated in service projects with students, including donat– ing portions ofprofit from a Ju GoJu and Ko Jo Kai gala held Feb. 25, and Chi Sigma Alpha donated a portion of moneY, which had been collected for a function, Dunn said. Dunn said Harding students have also been very supportive through volunteering and pro– fessional experience. "We are blessed to have pre– student teachers and student teachers," Dunn said. Junior Matthew Zachary, who has volunteered at the Sunshine School since October 2005, said he has enjoyed his experience at the school. "Iactuallyexpandedmyhours this semester, since I liked it so much," Zachary said. "It's been a really good experience. It's really rewarding." The Sunshine School Flea Market will be held fromT30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Morris said she encourages any interested stu– dents to attend, as volunteers or visitors. c AUDRA ENNIS/Courtesy Photo Seniors Erin Reese and Cam Rowan don Mardi Gras masks at "The Benefit," a gala held Feb. 25 at the White County Fairgrounds. Ko Jo Kai and Ju Go Ju hosted the event to raise money for the Searcy Sunshine Sr,hool and the Our Kristen Foundation.
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