ECHO funds Sunrise Day Camp “Camp in a Box” program

The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island is pleased to announce that, thanks to the generosity of the Emergency Children’s Help Organization (ECHO), campers at the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp Staten Island will receive a special weekly package as part of the “Camp in a Box” program.
 
The camp, which is celebrating its fifth year of service to children with cancer and their siblings, has been running virtually this year due to the campers’ health concerns. Each “Camp in a Box” package contains activities and crafts that correspond with the weekly camp theme, so that children can participate in activities from home. Boxes also contain as a special edition Sunrise Day Camp t-shirt.
 
“Our campers are so excited to open these boxes each week,” said Sandy Haft, Camp Director. “It’s like getting a holiday gift every week for two months! We are incredibly grateful to ECHO for supporting this program during these difficult times.”
 
"On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of ECHO, it is a privilege to partner with Sunrise Day Camp and the JCC in order to accommodate the children under these unprecedented circumstances," said Pasquale Loporcaro, ECHO’s Executive Director.
 
ECHO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to children experiencing challenging medical or life emergencies. ECHO’s goal is to help ease the burden financially, along with brightening children’s lives during times of crisis.
 
"The JCC and Sunrise Day Camp have always been wonderful partners with ECHO.  Their community work has always been an asset to those in need. We are honored to be part the ‘Camp in a Box’ program,” noted the organization’s Chairman and Founder, Sebastian Angelico. 
 
Recognizing the extraordinary financial demands that a child’s chronic illness can have on a family, Sunrise Day Camp and its year-round and in-hospital programs are offered completely free of charge to all children being treated for cancer and their siblings, on a non-sectarian basis. Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island is the only day camp for children with cancer in New York City and serves families from Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey. The JCC raises funds for the camp through donations and community events, including the annual SunriseWALKS.
 
A member of the Sunrise Association, Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island is one of several camps in a growing network dedicated to providing safe, fun summer camp experiences for children with cancer and their siblings.