Spreading joy everywhere they go

Spread Your Sunshine, a nonprofit and important partner of Churches United, puts smiles on the faces of kids and families through fun, meaningful events and activities

Spread Your Sunshine was given the first-ever Heart and Hustle Award at the Churches United Gourmet Soup Kitchen fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Spread Your Sunshine Founder Addie Loerzel is pictured front, center, and mother Marisa Bengston-Loerzel is pictured back, second from left.

Churches United CEO Pastor Devlyn Brooks, left, presents Spread Your Sunshine Founder Addie Loerzel, center, with the first-ever Heart and Hustle Award on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Addie’s mother, Marisa Bengston-Loerzel, is pictured at right.

Even as gloomy late fall weather gives way to winter chill, no matter how overcast the day, there will always be a ray of sunshine in the Fargo-Moorhead area, thanks to one nonprofit.

That organization is Spread Your Sunshine, which does exactly what it sounds like: brightening up the lives of children and families, many of whom are experiencing hardship.

Spread Your Sunshine is so important to Churches United and its mission that it was recognized with the first-ever Heart and Hustle Award at the Gourmet Soup Kitchen fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 30.

And did you know, it was four years ago at Churches United’s Bright Sky Apartments that the organization got its start?

Founder Addie Loerzel and her mom, Marisa Bengston-Loerzel, were moved by the first event they hosted at Bright Sky.

While setting up for it, kids ran around in anticipation of the fun about to unfold and pressed their faces windows and watched the setup take place, giddy with excitement. The event was a hit, practically before it even got underway, and they knew from that moment that it couldn’t be a one-off.

A caramel apple bar for kids hosted by Spread Your Sunshine in September 2025. Photo courtesy of Spread Your Sunshine.

“We went in with the intention to make memories with kids, and going to Churches United, we thought was going to do a one-time event, and it ended up being a full-blown nonprofit,” Marisa said.

So they started hosting events every month at Bright Sky, and have done so to this day, including a recent Halloween event.

The organization has grown substantially since it got going four years ago, making connections with other area nonprofits and businesses to ensure kids everywhere are making special memories, no matter what hardships they are currently facing. Spread Your Sunshine officially became a nonprofit two years ago.  

“Our mission is joy and inclusion and making sure that even when life is kind of tough, you still have an opportunity to celebrate and have fun,” Marisa said.

They plan a lot of events themed around holidays — Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving parties — but they also plan around the silly “holidays,” like National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.

Churches United CEO Pastor Devlyn Brooks, left, got his face covered in frosting by kids as a part of Spread Your Sunshine’s “frost your boss.” SYS Founder Addie Loerzel is pictured at right. Photo courtesy of Spread Your Sunshine.

“We want to make sure that every single kid goes back to school with a happy holiday memory to share,” Marisa said. “Whether it’s Easter or Halloween or Christmas, we want to make sure that kids get to experience those joys. So we kind of go all out.”

Hosting so many events requires some creative thinking to keep things fresh and exciting, especially when a major holiday isn’t right around the corner.

“We sort of see what’s going on in the community and try to replicate it,” Addie said of planning events.

Luckily, there’s also the Youth Advisory Council Kids, which helps brainstorm ideas for events. The group of kids has lived experience with housing insecurity and provides valuable insight into planning events.

Over the years, both Addie and Marisa have grown close to some of the residents of Bright Sky Apartments. They’ve watched residents come and go, some get older and others hit major life milestones.

Their consistency has not only helped them build relationships with residents but also helped residents build relationships with each other.

“We want to make sure there’s no barriers. We don’t want there to be transportation barriers, we don’t want there to be financial barriers; it’s just fun,” Marisa said. “It’s just a chance for kids to play and families to bond and people to enjoy.”

Churches United is grateful to have a partner like Spread Your Sunshine. Its mission is undoubtedly unique and has a profound impact on those whose lives it touches.

“Happiness is a part of survival. If you are not happy, how would you be able to survive?” Addie said.

“I don’t think happiness and joy should be extras in life. That’s an essential experience that everybody should have, no matter what,” Marissa added. 

If you want to help Spread Your Sunshine, there are ways to do so. Right now, SYS has sponsorship opportunities, which include:

• $150 Bright Birthday Wishes: Covers the cost of a gift, birthday cake and a meal for a homeless teen.

• $500 Sunshine Gatherings: Supports a holiday party, art class or celebration for families in need

• $1,500 Sunshine Adventures: Provides tickets for 150-plus family members to experience a fun community event.

You can contact Spread Your Sunshine via email at addie@addiessunshine.org or by phone at 701-371-0796.