By Danny McCarthy
Originally, 30 employees of the New York Recorder newspaper were members of the first branch of the International Sunshine Society that was founded in 1896 by Recorder reporter Cynthia Westover Alden. “Sunshine into the hearts and lives of those less favored than ourselves” became the purpose of the society. It was not considered a charity organization. The non-profit, non-sectarian society extends a helping hand “as far as money will permit to those in any kind of distress” (whether blind, crippled, aged, infirm, hungry, or unfortunate).
Mrs. Ernest Bick, who was living in Southold, organized the Southold Branch in 1923. The members have been bringing a bit of brightness into the lives of their fellow Southolders ever since.
The January 9, 1925 Long Island Traveler carried this entry:
“The Southold Sunshine Society gives a Card, Domino and Mah-Jongg Party at the home of Mrs. E. E. Bick, on Wednesday evening, Jan. 14, for the benefit of the blind children. Cards start at 8 o’clock. Refreshments. Admission, 25 cents.”
A February 26, 1948 Traveler editorial reads: “In this world so filled with rumblings of war, greed among nations and peoples and troubles of all kinds, it is always heartening to know that there are those who are seeking to bring cheer and sunshine into our lives.”
The April 21, 1949 Long Island Traveler Mattituck Watchman has this item: “Fifty shut-in and aged people were remembered at Easter time by the Southold Sunshine Society with gifts of flowers and plants.”
And the March 3, 1966 Long Island Traveler Mattituck Watchman shares: “All during the year our friends in Southold area were remembered with cards of cheer, anniversary, birthday, cards {being} sent. Seventy-two birthday cards were sent to those who were eighty years or more. Over 100 pairs of eyeglasses were sent to ‘Eyes for the needy’ in Short Hills, New Jersey.”
Plus there’s this from the November 22, 1973 Long Island Traveler Mattituck Watchman: “The Southold Sunshine Society will hold its White Christmas Party on Monday evening, December 3rd, at the American Legion home at 7:30 P.M. Everyone attending is asked to bring {something} gift wrapped for an adult, each gift is to be marked on the outside if it is for a man or woman. Some suggestions would be bath powder, bed socks, tissues, perfume, hand cream, men’s socks, men’s toilet articles. We hope all members will come and bring friends with them.”
The society serves people in the Southold and Peconic hamlets, and has two major projects a year. In the spring, members deliver potted daffodils to people on their list who are in need of a lift. They may be 80 or older, or people who have been ill. The plants are donated by Catapano Farms. Members gather at the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic once a year to put decorative green sleeves on the pots and add cards identifying the gift as coming from the Sunshine Society and Catapano Farms. In the fall, the society partners with Southold IGA, which provides produce at a low price, to make fruit platters to distribute to those who need a lift.
Society members send out sympathy and birthday cards and just “Thinking of You” cards when occasions call for it. And they also deliver small bouquets on a monthly basis, thanks to Country Petals in Southold, which contributes the flowers.
The society holds a fund-raiser at the Wharf House in Southold, where guests can come for an afternoon of cards, chatter and lunch for $15. Aside from that single fundraiser, the Sunshine Society has no source of income except contributions.
The group’s sunshine lightens a heart, a room, a house, and a soul. Sickroom equipment is given out to the blind, sick, lonely, or otherwise needy persons. The members loan out walkers, crutches, canes, commodes, bedpans, toilet arms and risers, bathtub rails, blanket lifts, and wheelchairs.
Donations and membership fees that the group depends on to fund their work was slowing down. So on March 26, 2007, the Southold Sunshine Society held its very first fund-raiser ever with a sandwich luncheon at Founders Landing in Southold. Guests were invited to bring their own games and after the luncheon that was provided by society members the guests could spend the rest of the afternoon in friendship and fun.
The Southold Sunshine Society is deeply grateful for the excellent cooperation and support which it has received from its friends here in the community and we likewise thank this organization for looking out for us. Hear! Hear!
To contribute to the society, send checks to The Southold Sunshine Society, P.O. Box 251, Southold, NY 11971.