CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. — It has been four years since Sherree-Lin Davis lost her daughter, Alyssa, who was killed in a car crash on Dec. 23, 2015. The 17-year-old was a passenger in the vehicle when it spun out of control on Peacekeepers Way in Conception Bay South.
Knowing her daughter was a generous soul keen on helping others, Sherree-Lin has kept Alyssa’s memory close to her heart through a group dedicated to giving back to others.
“It keeps me busy, because losing a child is devastating,” Sherree-Lin told The Telegram. “But just to keep her memory alive, to continue what she always wanted to do, keeping busy and giving back to the community makes other people feel better — to know somebody cares about them.”
The Sunshine Squad — named in Alyssa’s memory as her mom always used to call her Sunshine — has done a lot of good deeds since then.
“Alyssa was always doing kind things and thinking of other people, so I wanted to continue her legacy,” Sherree-Lin said.
Hundreds of people came on board to the cause through social media, including folks from across the province and Canada, and even other countries. Every month, a goal is set to complete at least one significant act of kindness, with Sherree-Lin most often choosing what the group will do (though others do pitch in with ideas).
“Just groups that deserve, and things that Alyssa would have stood for,” she said.
Supporting others
Sunshine Squad has helped firefighters, veterans, the homeless, Choices for Youth, students and people dealing with health issues, among many other causes.
For December, Sunshine Squad has been collecting goods to fill 80 stockings that will be delivered to their secret recipients on Christmas Eve.
Since its inception, the group has also looked after a project called Alyssa’s Attic.
“Alyssa was graduating the year she was killed, and she always talked about how expensive grad was,” her mother explained.
Sherree-Lin accepts graduation dresses and stores them at her home in Conception Bay South. Alyssa’s Attic has so far distributed almost 500 dresses.
“When I started it, it was for one of our monthly events to help a girl in need to pay for everything she needed to graduate — from her tickets to her limousine, her flowers, her photos, anything she needed.”
When Sherree-Lin put out a request looking for a dress, she got a lot more submissions than she’d anticipated. They came from across the country and even the United States.
Reflecting on the work her group is doing to help others, Sherree-Lin said it is important to think about the people in your life who may need help in some way.
“Spread some kindness, no matter how small it is,” she said. “A bunch of small things can create a big ripple in the community.”
Twitter: @CBNAndrew
