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Vets, others spread sunshine

Hometown News: Deltona, Orange City, Debary - 4/21/2017

Volunteers gathered Friday, April 14, to spruce up the walls in three bedrooms of the Sunshine House by rolling and brushing silver, gray with tan colored paint. Hot air balloons were painted on later.

The Sunshine House is a residential foster home that houses eight children between the ages of 6 and 13, and is under the direction of Children's Home Society of Florida.

Veterans from the Veterans Administration Wellness Recovery Center in Port Orange and workers with the Children's Home Society moved furniture to the center of each of the rooms. A couple of employees from the Orange City Home Depot brought the donated paint and supplies. Home Depot also donated pizza for lunch.

Eric Losciale, program director, thanked the volunteers "for being here today for the kids."

Mr. Losciale said 90 percent of those who come to Sunshine House, Destiny House for teen females and Brian's House for teen males, have been sexually and/or verbally abused. There are two therapists who work with the children. He said many of the children who come to the house don't want to leave.

"Let's make it a better place for them," he said. "It's really a healing place for them."

John Kervin, 60, is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

"I know guys growing up who came from the type of family these kids came from,"

he said. "It's my way of honoring the kids, and letting them know people do care. I wish and hope they find the happiness they deserve."

Terry "Rick" Richardson, 45, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, got busy pronto.

"I'm not one to stand around, Mr. Richardson said. "I get things done."

He enjoys volunteering, he said.

He has four children, two grown and two younger, Mr. Richardson said. He knows what kind of father he is to his children and that "they are fortunate with me. I like to give back to those who need."

Keri Leon, 48, a U.S. Air Force veteran, who works with the veterans at the wellness center, said it's a wonderful project.

"It's a nice thing to do with the community," she said. "It helps veterans know they can give back to the community ? to kind of get out of their heads; they can help others."

Scherezada Morales, 33, is a recreational therapist for the VA. She came up with the project, fulfilling community service credits that will help earn her bachelor's degree from Florida International University.

"I'm excited about it," Ms. Morales said. "It's great that everyone has come together. It feels good ? I'm a future foster parent. This means a lot to me."