Sunshine Day, a mini-carnival held each year in St. Mary’s gymnasium, will be back this year with a jungle theme on April 18.

For over 15 years, Rays of Sunshine has put on this event to reach out to and reward all the kids that are tutored and mentored through the Sunshine program, giving them a day of fun to enjoy.

Rays of Sunshine is a Villanova Student Life Community Service Office that reaches out to communities with kindness and compassion, trying to help people whenever and wherever they can. Whether through tutoring, mentoring or visiting the elderly, sick and disabled, members work together as a group to help the lives of others.

A series of activities is scheduled for the children to take part in. There will be games, prizes, face painting and a moon bounce. Different organizations around campus are also invited to come out, such as intramural sports, the club swim team and the math club. The men’s basketball team also comes to sign autographs and take part in a dunk contest.

Sunshine Day is also a way for students as well as organizations to get involved and help out with the cause.

Rays of Sunshine is looking for at least 100-150 volunteers for the day’s activities. They hope to have as many volunteers as they do children so that every child will have a buddy for the day.

“We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers willing to take time out on a Saturday to help make the day go smoothly for our guests, the hardworking students we tutor throughout the year,” senior and Rays of Sunshine Events Co-Chair Christina Cometa said.

Each volunteer who signs up before April 15 is guaranteed to receive a free T-shirt. Students can sign up to volunteer outside Dougherty 215, the Rays of Sunshine office.

Rays of Sunshine is also looking for volunteers to donate a meal to help coordinate lunch for each of the kids.

“I encourage everyone to come out and participate,” freshman Co-Chair of the Decorating Committee Erica Slater said. “It will be a great experience.”

Daina Amorosano contributed reporting to this article.