Sunshine Club gets its own home in Hood River

HOOD RIVER — The Sunshine Club, an adult day program for people 55 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, has a new permanent home at Spirit of Grace Church, 1140 Tucker Road, behind the FISH Food Bank and community room.

“This is our new building back here, that our amazing, amazing community gave us,” said Tonya DeHart, supervisor of the Sunshine Club. “I absolutely don’t have words to thank them for what they’ve done for us.”

After months of fundraising, the group secured enough money to place the manufactured building on Aug. 26. The property is owned by Spirit of Grace Church, according to Debby Chenoweth, chair of Friends of the Sunshine Club, the nonprofit arm that supports the program.

The Sunshine Club provides a safe and engaging space for individuals experiencing dementia and other memory-loss conditions. Participants share meals, make crafts, exercise, go on outings and take part in activities designed to support socialization and community. The program also gives family members and caregivers daytime respite.

With the expanded building, the program can serve more attendees but will need additional volunteer support.

“We have 19 volunteers right now,” DeHart said. “We need more volunteers because we’re going to expand our days when we get into our new building.”

Founded more than 30 years ago, the Sunshine Club has served as a lifeline for families across the Columbia Gorge. Friends of Sunshine Club partnered with Spirit of Grace Church to establish a dedicated space to sustain and expand the program as demand increases.

“The nice thing for the families at home is they get a break, and they know they’re having a good time,” DeHart said. “They have so much life in them. They’re amazing people.”

The program costs $145 per day, with scholarships available based on financial need. Services currently run Monday through Thursday each week.

The group is still raising funds to finalize the move. Donations can be made at FriendsOfSunshineClub.org/donate.

In addition, the club offers a free caregiver support group on the first Friday of each month, giving caregivers space to talk about their experiences and receive on-site support. To RSVP or coordinate care, contact Kai Burgess-Nichols at kburgessnichols@gobhi.org or 541-705-4987.