ABOUT US
About Sunshine Gals
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 2010
Sunshine Gals began with a simple belief: a community is stronger when neighbors care for one another.
In 2010, Jo Leary and four friends came together with a desire to make a difference right here in Billerica. What began as a small group of friends helping neighbors with meals, assistance, and a little kindness soon began to grow. One of their earliest efforts was a Christmas dinner at the Billerica Elks, where more than 100 people gathered to share a warm meal and the spirit of the season.
More than fifteen years later, Sunshine Gals continues that tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. Our volunteers have served more than 100,000 meals and have reached throughout the community to assist children and families, seniors, veterans, and Billerica residents going through difficult times.
Our Work in Billerica
Over the years, Sunshine Gals has found many ways to lend a helping hand to our neighbors. Our volunteers have prepared and served community meals, hosted lunches for local seniors at the Billerica COA, helped families with essential needs such as fuel assistance, supported children and families through the Department of Children and Families, and helped make the holidays a little brighter with warm meals, gifts, clothing, and other assistance.
But Sunshine Gals has always been about more than what we give. It's about neighbors caring for neighbors and bringing people together. Along the way, our volunteers have built strong relationships with local organizations, businesses, churches, and community partners, and with each other. We share time, work side by side, enjoying the friendships that grow from doing something meaningful for the community we all call home.
Our Founder, Jo Leary
For founder Jo Leary, helping others has been a lifelong commitment. As a child, Jo accompanied her mother when she checked on older neighbors, an experience that helped shape her belief in caring for the people around her.
After retiring from banking, Jo began volunteering to deliver food and recognized an opportunity to provide similar support in her own hometown. That idea ultimately became Sunshine Gals.
One particularly meaningful chapter in the organization's history was its work with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, where Sunshine Gals volunteers prepared pasta dinners for Club members and their families. The meal program became so successful that it eventually grew beyond the original Sunshine Gals effort.
In 2025, Jo was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica Hall of Fame, recognizing her longstanding service and positive impact on the Club and the Billerica community.
Still Warming Spirits and Hearts
More than fifteen years after those first meals, the spirit behind Sunshine Gals remains much the same. We are neighbors helping neighbors—sharing our time, talents, friendship, and resources wherever they can make someone's day a little brighter.