Thanks to the Junior League of Sarasota, foster children and parents living on the All Star Children’s Foundation’s “Campus of Hope and Healing” will soon cuddle deep into soft new sheets on freshly made beds. To create that nurturing comfort, the Junior League purchased $5,000 worth of linens for the 42 beds on campus (with enough left over for extra sets) and provided 12 sustaining members to make the beds. It was all part of the Junior League Sustainer’s “Done in a Day” program. As the name implies, this project sends out trained Junior League volunteers to support the short-term, one-day needs of nonprofit organizations in the Sarasota-Manatee area. All Star was one of them—and the gratitude is palpable throughout the All Star campus.

“We are enormously thankful to the Junior League of Sarasota for helping All Star create safe and snuggly havens for the children in our care,” says Graci McGillicuddy, All Star’s board chair and co-founder. “Many of these children have never experienced the pleasure of sleeping in their own bed—let alone in a bed outfitted with beautiful new sheets and comforters.” The Junior League’s hardworking volunteers made up 36 children’s beds and six foster parent beds in one day. According to McGillicuddy, it was a heart-warming sight to behold.

“Each volunteer poured so much love into each fold and hospital corner,” she says. “My heart overflowed with love watching these supremely dedicated people. Thanks to their generosity, All Star’s children and foster parents will have sweet dreams every night.”

The chair of the Junior League Sustainer’s Done in a Day program is Wendy Hopkins. “All Star Children’s Foundation' s mission aligns perfectly with that of the Junior League,” says Hopkins. “Sustaining member Kim Cornetet brought the project to the Sustainers and she washed all of the bedding before we brought them to campus so each child would be welcomed into their home with fresh linens. During the bed-making, Sustainers practiced social distancing and wore masks. The League is proud to partner with ASCF."