The Sunshine Fund began as a Memorial to Kelley Syron after her unexpected death on November 4, 2010. Kelley loved the beach and loved all the patients at her place of work: The Children's Therapy Center, a family-owned business where she had worked for twelve years.

Her mother Suzan Syron Singh, founder of The Children's Therapy Center, could think of no better way to preserve her daughter's vibrant personality and loving character than to combine the things that she enjoyed most: Family, friends, children, and of course, the beach.

Suzan Syron, owner of The Children’s Therapy Center, expanded the memorial fund she originally set up to honor the life of her daughter, Kelley Syron, in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Suzan organized fundraising efforts including a lemonade stand sale at the Franconia District Park site of Chessie's BIG Backyard.

The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund (KSSF) raised significant support for the Chessie’s Big Backyard Tiki Village play area in and the Nautical Cove, a pirate ship themed playground designed to include children with special needs. 

KSSF sponsored the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center's Musical Flower feature at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Of the 18 Chessie's Carousel animals, three were adopted by the KSSF and the Children's Therapy Center. These include 'Sunshine' the grey wind dancer horse; 'Topaz' the seahorse; and 'Opal' the frog.  The Swan Chariot named 'Sunflower' was co-sponsored by The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund and the Children's Therapy Center.

These Carousel animals have been lovingly adopted:
Shell-Lee (Sea Turtle) adopted by Fairfax County Park Foundation
Sunshine (Grey Wind Dancer Horse) adopted by The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund
Clemaline and Heneska (2 Horses with ADA seat) adopted by Hilltop Sand & Gravel Company
Soar (Eagle) adopted by Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund
Topaz (Seahorse) adopted by The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund
Opal (Frog) adopted by The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund
Elane (Trojan horse) adopted by 495, 95, and 395 Express Lanes operated by Transurban
Socrates (Brown Wind Dancer Horse) adopted by The Adler Foundation
Dakota (Brown Horse) adopted by The Adler Foundation
Sunflower (Swan Chariot) adopted by The Children’s Therapy Center and The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund
Minnie (Hummingbird) adopted by Sue Rowell and Family
Danny Boy (Deer) adopted by Family in memory of Congressman Gerry Connolly 1950-2025
Carol the Crane (Whooping Crane) adopted by Angela Prather Valis & Wayne Valis in honor of Carol Prather
Wayne the Wolf (Wolf) adopted by Angela & Wayne Valis
Angela the Princess (Horse) adopted by Wayne & Angela Valis
Henry David Thoreaubred (Light Brown Horse) celebrating the life of FCPF Board Officer Harry Glasgow
Buckeye (Black Horse) honoring the life of FCPF Board Chair John E. Osborn

The Kelley Syron Sunshine Fund was the key fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Park Foundation that made the Chessie’s Big Backyard playground a reality.  Franconia District Park in Alexandria, VA is now unique destination for families of the entire metro area. Children with special needs enjoy the camaraderie of typically developing children as they use their wheelchairs or other assistive devices to swing, slide and ‘climb’ alongside their friends and siblings. This is a fitting tribute to Kelley!