Paying It Forward
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Homeless Shelter Sober Living House
Donations
Every contribution holds immense value. Our sincere gratitude is extended for every donation received. We stand together in this endeavor for individuals confronting adversity.
Our philosophy is to give a "hand up, not handouts."
Our goal is to get those in crisis a warm, safe place to stay while they are rebuilding their lives.
Sunshine has established supportive relationships with social service agencies, regional continuum of care, faith communities, educational institutions, health care facilities, law enforcement, educational institutions, and human service organizations. We are very grateful for all of our community support. Without the support of businesses, churches, and individuals we would not have completed this mission.
Many times, our shelter is full, and people have to be turned away. This number includes families with children and Veterans. We offer a warm place to lay their head, a shower, and food. We open our hands and hearts to those in need. There is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs; testing is done randomly and Individuals with a conviction for a sexual crime will not be admitted.
Sunshine For Humanity Homeless Shelter and Sober Living House has received a transformative gift from Gregory Trudeau, a retired professor from UW–Madison, who generously donated $50,000 to support the organization’s mission. His contribution not only strengthens the shelter’s ability to serve individuals experiencing homelessness but also highlights a powerful giving strategy many people may not realize they have access to.
A Donor with Purpose: Mr. Trudeau, known for his lifelong commitment to education and community service, shared that this donation is meaningful both personally and financially. After learning more about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), he realized he could support a cause he cares deeply about while also managing his retirement finances wisely.
“It’s a win‑win,” he explained. “This helps Sunshine For Humanity continue its important work, and it’s also a smart financial decision for retirees like me.”
A Qualified Charitable Distribution allows individuals aged 70½ or older to donate directly from their IRA to a qualified charitable organization without paying income tax on the distribution. This makes charitable giving more accessible and financially beneficial for retirees who want to support nonprofits.
For individuals aged 73 and older, the IRS requires a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) each year. A QCD can count toward that RMD, reducing taxable income while supporting a charitable mission.
In Mr. Trudeau’s case, using a QCD allowed him to make a significant impact while maintaining financial efficiency — a strategy he hopes others will consider.
Encouraging Others to Give; Mr. Trudeau’s donation is more than a gift; it’s an invitation. He encourages other retirees to explore how their IRA distributions can support charities they believe in.
“Many people don’t realize they can use their IRA distribution this way,” he said. “If more folks knew, I think they’d be excited to help organizations doing good work in their communities.”
A Meaningful Boost for Sunshine For Humanity this contribution will directly support Sunshine For Humanity’s homeless shelter and sober living programs, helping individuals find stability, safety, and hope. Donations like Mr. Trudeau’s strengthen the organization’s ability to provide essential services, expand programming, and meet the growing needs of the community.
Sunshine For Humanity expresses deep gratitude for Mr. Trudeau’s generosity and his commitment to inspiring others to give. To learn more about Sunshine For Humanity please visit our website at SunshineForHumanity.com, 715-477-2220
Pictured is Debra Johnson CEO, Gregory Trudeau, Amanda Kollmann Assistant Director
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation GMF has given a $2500.00 grant to Sunshine. This grant was made from the Walter and Susan Getzel Fund. Sunshine has received this grant for the past six years. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is home to more than 1,500 charitable funds.
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As part of the Service and Learning Together (SaLT) program, we are pleased to share a special donation. Thanks to recent generous support, we have 100 pairs of Bombas men's socks available. We are offering these to anyone in need of a pair or two. Salt and Chippewa Ranch Camp for Girls recently collaborated to donate 100 pairs of socks from the Bomba Sock Company. As part of this effort, the campers decorated bags with inspirational words, and Salt donated the socks.
About SaLT visit www.saltservice.org
Service and Learning Together (SaLT) combines community service with educational opportunities to address local needs, foster personal growth, and promote intercultural understanding.
SaLT initiative is built upon three pillars:
- Service: Meeting the essential needs of our community.
- Learning: Fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
- Together: Building lasting relationships and community ties.
Our core values include:
- Engaging in meaningful service to meet community needs
- Expanding personal knowledge, empathy, and growth
- Working together for a common purpose and building lasting relationships
At Chippewa Ranch Camp for Girls. www.chippewaranchcamp.com
Our primary focus is the development of each camper. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through individual character growth and empowerment.
Key Information:
- Established: 1946 - Target Audience: Ages 7–15 - - Capacity: 230 campers per summer session
Bombas donates one essential clothing item—primarily socks, underwear, or T shirts—for every item purchased, contributing over 200 million donations through 4,000+ partner organizations that support people experiencing homelessness.
200+ hundred million donated so far across all 50 states. One Purchased = One Donated. To learn more visit www.bombas.com
Pictured below are:
Ida Fiore (Salt) Anthony Falcetta (Resident Director), Debbi LaPrade (Volunteer), Mary Orzech (Sunshine Free Will Store Manager) Brad Swanson (Salt).
I am pleased to share an update regarding a recent contribution to our organization. The Cranberry Country Quilters have donated handmade quilts for the residents at the Sunshine For Humanity Homeless Shelter and Sober Living House. Attached is a photograph of Mary Mader and Deb Johnson CEO with one of the donated quilts.
The Cranberry Country Quilters have consistently supported our organization over the years. We encourage our residents to keep these quilts as they transition into permanent housing.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission.
