History
Operation Sunshine was founded in 1968. Victor Ehre, then-president of Utica Mutual, suggested that there be some sort of community effort to send needy children to summer camp.The Utica newspapers — the morning Daily Press and evening Observer-Dispatch — agreed to sponsor the effort, and Mason Taylor, the newspapers’ executive editor, dubbed it “Operation Sunshine.”
That first campaign raised $9,276 from area businesses and public donations, and helped send 292 youngsters to camp.The following Christmas, a second Operation Sunshine effort was created to reach out to needy families, and raised $7,886 for 130 families.
Campaigns
There are 2 each year — a summer campership program and a holiday campaign to help needy families with gifts and food.
How it works
The campership program involves about a dozen agencies that reach out to children in Oneida and Herkimer counties. Children make application to specific agencies for assistance to attend a summer camp. Families pay based on their income. For instance, if it costs $200 a week to attend camp, an eligible family pays only a portion of that. Operation Sunshine picks up the rest.The holiday campaign involves about five agencies. Money raised is used to purchase food, clothing and toys for needy families whose eligibility again is determined by the agencies through a careful screening process.
Who Helps?
Everyone. People from all corners of the community, young and old, are faithful to the mission. While large contributors provide a hefty base, Operation Sunshine could not survive without the individual donations. The steady $25, $50 and $100 donations that arrive daily during the campaign are the backbone of the effort. Donors are faithful and committed, and because of them, Operation Sunshine succeeds. The true beauty of Operation Sunshine is that with the exception of incidental expenses, every cent of every dollar contributed goes directly to the cause. The Observer-Dispatch underwrites all expenses.
Anyone who has any questions about Operation Sunshine can phone O-D Opinion Page editor Dave Dudajek at 792-5090, Monday-Friday, between 8 and 4 p.m.