A Legacy of Sunshine: Launching the BIO Girls Endowment Fund
A Legacy of Sunshine: Launching the BIO Girls Endowment Fund
We are honored to announce the establishment of the BIO Girls Endowment Fund, made possible through a transformative $25,000 gift from Van and Dee Larson in loving memory of their daughter, Shannon "Sunshine" Larson.
Shannon “Sunshine” Larson
Life to the Fullest
Shannon had a passion for living life to its fullest. Spending time with family and friends and traveling were her main interests. Her winning smile, compassionate nature, generosity, and sense of humor touched the lives of all those around her. True to the words of J.M. Barrie: "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
From her early days as a Judy Rae Dancer and Girl Scout to her time on the junior high dance line and soccer field, Shannon embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and joy.
Known as the "#1 hugger" in Special Olympics, she brought warmth and compassion to everything she did.
A proud member of Latin Club and graduate of Central High School and the University of North Dakota, Shannon lived fully and loved deeply, touching countless lives with her radiant spirit along the way.
The Next Generation
Van and Dee are passionate about raising the next generation of confident young women, and they know Shannon would wholeheartedly believe in the mission of BIO Girls. Their commitment to empowering girls reflects the values Shannon lived by, and supporting BIO Girls has become a meaningful way to honor her legacy and ensure her light continues to inspire others.
The BIO Girls Endowment Fund will create a lasting impact for the thousands of girls we serve now and in the future, providing sustainable support for programs that build confidence, foster leadership, and empower young women to reach their full potential.
Shannon's spirit of joy, generosity, and compassion will live on through every girl whose life is touched by BIO Girls. We are deeply grateful to Van and Dee for this gift that will shine brightly for generations to come.
Generosity Growing
Thanks to the Larsons' generosity, BIO Girls now has a $50,000 match for our endowment. With your help, we can reach $100,00 by the end of 2025. If you would like to learn more about the BIO Girls Endowment Fund or to make a gift in honor of someone special, please contact us. We are so grateful for your support and the incredible impact it will make for generations to come.