In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns sits down with Lisa Sunshine, a local leader, life coach, and the driving force behind the Swan City Jazz Festival and the Blended Family Foundation (BFF). Recorded at COhatch in downtown Lakeland, this deeply moving conversation explores how a family tragedy was transformed into a mission of service and community healing.
Lisa shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 17-year-old son, Kaylen, in a 2016 accident. She reflects on their final conversation, where Kaylen expressed a profound desire to help children in crisis by providing them with basic necessities. This vision became the blueprint for the Blended Family Foundation, which honors Kaylen’s legacy by ensuring local students have access to essential items.
Whether you are a jazz lover, a supporter of local nonprofits, or someone navigating the journey of grief, Lisa Sunshine’s story offers an inspiring testament to the power of love and purpose in the face of adversity. 45
