Philanthropists Steve and Rose Sadlek were honored at the fourth annual Sunshine Kids Gala, hosted recently by the Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic at the Pointe West Country Club. Proceeds from the event will help offset the costs of pediatric services offered through its Sunshine Kids Programs.

“In 2018, we provided over $131,000 in non-reimbursed services. In 2019, based on the first three quarters, we are estimating that to increase to $172,000. This is only possible through the generosity of all of our donors,” said Lynne Gates House, SPTC administrator.

As she presented a special plaque to the couple, she noted, “Steve and Rose opened their hearts and embraced the Sunshine Kids Program. Their numerous donations and generosity over the years has truly made a difference in these children’s lives.”

Steve Sadlek joined the board of directors of Sunshine Physical Therapy in 2000, and in 2013 the couple enabled the creation of the Sunshine Kids Program through a generous donation. They later provided several additional major contributions to facilitate the Sadlek Sensorium, a specialized environment to treat sensory integration disorders, which opened in 2017.

Sara Evans, the occupational therapist who oversaw the design and implementation of the sensorium, explained that occupational, physical and speech therapists use the room to regulate and organize the sensory system for optimal participation in therapy, through vision, hearing, touch, movement, smell and pressure stimuli.

“We all have a sensory processing system; we’re all trying to find our neutral zone,” said Evans. “The room is designed so that if someone’s arousal level is low we can set the room to be excitatory for them. Some children are wound up and we need to bring them down. Basically we’re using the sensory input from the room to organize and regulate the child’s arousal level for optimal participation in therapy. It’s very individualized for each child.”

In addition to a delicious buffet dinner, wine toss and numerous silent- and live-auction items, guests enjoyed touching entertainment featuring Sunshine Kids ambassadors. Ian McMahan proudly danced with his mother, Katrena McMahan, and pretty little Trinity Garrett danced with her father, John Garrett. A third child, Addison Chess, played a tune on a keyboard.

Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic, a nonprofit, outpatient rehabilitation center founded in 1953, has continually evolved over its more than six-decade-long history, today providing services for patients ranging from children to seniors.

For more information, visit sunshineptc.org.