What is SAMshine Day?
SAMshine Day was started by folks that knew Samantha Wright, the fearless founder and leader of MMCH, and felt compelled to do something positive with the grief so many felt after Sam suddenly and tragically died in a car accident in 2014. Each year, on January 15th, Samshine Day is intended to be a day to spread light and offer random acts of kindness; these can be simple small graces to touch the heart of another person in your immediate community, or grand gestures that impact our community at large.
Sam had a unique balance of grit, flexibility, and kindness and she valued having fun and playing as much as she valued hard work. She left an incredible lasting impact on those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Each year we celebrate Samshine Day at Maine Mountain Children’s House in remembrance of Sam, our dear friend, community member, and the founder of our school.
At Maine Mountain Children’s House we introduce Sam to the children as a “peacemaker” and we do small acts of kindness for others throughout the week. We also involve our students in a decision making process to donate funds to a charity or area of need. Sam started this tradition with her students with money she raised in a small yearly fundraiser. Now these funds are raised by Equinox Bodywork: Liz Stefany, LMT, and are donated to MMCH in the true spirit of SAMshine day.
Whether you were fortunate to know Sam and be a part of her life, or you walk by her community gardens throughout town, or swim at the Samantha Wright Memorial Pool, or indirectly and years later are part of Maine Mountain Children’s House; Sam’s kindness and beautiful spirit lives on and touches each of us in this community every day.
A glimpse into our SAMshine conversation
with the class of 2020
SAMSHINE DAY 2023
This year a small group of friends gathered together at MMCH at sunrise to welcome the light, and together bring light to Samantha Wright and her legacy. Our dear friend and beloved After School Care Coordinator, Kate Dewar, had prepared some kind & loving words to say about Sam, which included reading a poem called “The Anatomy of Peace” by John Roedel. The poem made her think of Sam after seeing the children in the classroom practicing taking deep breaths before they enter the building and before they sit down for lunch or for tea. She thought those at the gathering would enjoy it so we thought we could share it with you all, too ♥