A sermon, a calling, and a room that changed everything.
Sunshine on a Ranney Day began in 2012, when Peter and Holly Ranney were sitting in church listening to a sermon about using their God-given talents to serve others. Inspired by the message, they felt called to use their backgrounds in construction and furniture to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with special needs, disabilities, and long-term illnesses.
Although they did not have a child with special needs themselves, Peter and Holly believed they could use their skills to create spaces that brought greater comfort, independence, and joy to children and their families. From that belief, Sunshine on a Ranney Day was born, rooted in love, purpose, creativity, and the idea that every child deserves a space that reflects who they are, brings them happiness, and is designed around their individual needs.
Sunshine on a Ranney Day's first renovation was for an 11-year-old boy named Mathew who was diagnosed with cancer. Mathew dreamed of a military-themed bedroom so he could feel safe and at peace. This room became more than a room; it became a sanctuary for him during his final days. His story deeply affected the Ranneys and proved beyond doubt the impact a thoughtfully designed room can have on a child's life and on the family.
It was the beginning of something much bigger.
Then the world met Tripp.
In 2013, Sunshine on a Ranney Day met two-year-old Tripp Halstead, whose story had touched the hearts of thousands across the country. After a tree branch fell on him at daycare, Tripp suffered a serious traumatic brain injury that forever changed life for him and his family. What was meant to be a renovation of just a few rooms became a complete overhaul to make the house safer, more accessible, and better suited to Tripp's needs.
Tripp’s makeover didn’t just transform his family’s home — it changed the course of Sunshine on a Ranney Day. Until then, Peter and Holly poured their nights, weekends, and every spare moment into makeovers, relying on family and friends to help while they both continued working full-time corporate jobs.
Tripp’s project showed them the need and the difference they could make. Soon after, Peter and Holly decided to leave their corporate careers and devote themselves entirely to Sunshine on a Ranney Day. What began as a passion project has since become their life's work, and they continue to lead the organization and run its day-to-day operations.
Meet Gracie the Pig, the heart and spirit of SOARD.
Our amazing mascot, Gracie, was inspired by Peter’s wedding gift to Holly - a baby pot-bellied pig. Wearing her signature cape, she looks for children and families who could use some extra sunshine. With her trusty handsaw and a heart full of hope, Gracie leads the Sunshine Team as they create wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms, and in-home therapy rooms designed to bring greater comfort, independence, safety, and joy to children and their families.
She's a reminder that with creativity, compassion, and a whole lot of heart, anything is possible with a little bit of Sunshine.
Shopping that builds dream rooms.
In 2020, Sunshine on a Ranney Day took a bold step to sustain our mission by opening Sunny & Ranney, , a home furnishings, decor, and gift store in Roswell, GA, with profits directed back to the charity.
Sunny & Ranney sells a variety of new designer home furnishings and one-of-a-kind gifts, all with a greater purpose. Profits from Sunny & Ranney help cover much of the costs of running a Sunshine on a Ranney Day, such as rent, utilities, and staff salaries, so donors' donations can go directly toward creating life-changing spaces for children.
Shop Sunny & Ranney →14 years of building dreams.
Every room starts with a story. Here's ours.
Inspired by a church sermon, Peter and Holly Ranney build their first room — a military-themed bedroom for 11-year-old Mathew.
A whole-home makeover for Tripp captures 1.6 million viewers on a WSB-TV livestream, launching SOARD into the national spotlight.
Peter and Holly appear on NBC's Today Show for their renovation of parent sleep rooms at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Holly and Peter are honored as Atlanta Braves Community Heroes at SunTrust Park alongside Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman.
SOARD crosses the 100-room milestone, having served over 130 children and impacted 17,000+ through community projects.
SOARD opens a nonprofit home furnishings store in Roswell, with 100% of profits funding room makeovers for kids.
Atlanta Magazine honors Holly as one of their "Women Making a Mark" for her impact on the community.
NBC Nightly News with Tony Llamas covers NBA player and former Atlanta Hawk, Trae Young's, work with SOARD to provide ten-year-old Amari with a dream bedroom and accessible bathroom, after a traumatic car accident. Seen nationally four days before Christmas.
What began as a simple idea has become a movement.
Thanks to the support of our donors, partners, customers, and community, Sunshine on a Ranney Day has expanded well beyond the initial few makeovers, reaching more than 17,000 children and families in the greater Atlanta area.
The idea that improving one room could transform a child's life has developed into a community dedicated to making spaces that offer greater safety, comfort, dignity, independence, and joy. Each renovation reminds us that a well-designed space can do much more than satisfy a physical requirement—it can change how a child and their family experience everyday life.
Common questions about our mission.
Learn more about who we are, what we build, and how it all works.
See All FAQs →01 What is Sunshine on a Ranney Day?
Sunshine on a Ranney Day (SOARD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides life-changing home makeovers — dream bedrooms, accessible bathrooms, and therapy rooms — for children with special needs in the greater Atlanta area, all at no cost to families.
02 How long has SOARD been operating?
SOARD began in 2012 when we first helped Matthew. To learn more about that project, please visit the "About Us" section.
03 Who runs the organization?
SOARD was co-founded by Peter and Holly Ranney who continue to run the organization daily. Our team includes dedicated volunteers, board members, and a network of construction and design partners. Visit our Leadership page to meet the team.
04 What types of rooms do you build?
We build three types of spaces: dream bedrooms designed around a child's interests, accessible bathrooms that promote independence, and therapy rooms for at-home physical or occupational therapy.
05 How long does a room makeover take?
Most rooms are completed in 8-10 weeks during a scheduled build. The planning and design phase typically takes 4–6 weeks before the build.
06 Who actually builds the rooms?
Our rooms are built by a combination of licensed contractors, professional designers, and skilled volunteers. Every project is managed to ensure safety and quality.
Help us spread Sunshine
Help us give a child more than a room - give them a space where they can feel safe, independent, and truly at home.
501(c)(3) · EIN 45-4773997 · All donations tax-deductible · See our press coverage