From Our CEO: In memory of Lucille Chazanoff

Earlier this week, we learned the heartbreaking news that our dear friend Lucille Chazanoff had passed away. Lucille was a force for good in our community, especially at our JCC. Her commitment to philanthropy and activism was legendary. She personified the JCC’s mission of giving back to our community.

Lucille was a champion of all children, especially those with cancer and disabilities. Her involvement with our events, including our Golf & Tennis Classic—which raises money for camp and nursery school scholarships, helped provide services to many children and families in need. Through her family’s foundation, the Carmine & Robert DeSantis Charitable Foundation, she was able to help fund our programs for children with special needs.

Perhaps her biggest influence on our JCC was as a supporter of Sunrise Day Camp. Lucille was involved with Sunrise from its inception. Her commitment helped us establish the only free day camp for children with cancer and their siblings in New York City.

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When Lucille and her husband Jay were honored with the Allan Weissglass Distinguished Leadership Award in 2017, they asked to put the funds raised at the gala into a special fund for Sunrise. Following the incredibly successful gala, the camp was named for Lucille and Jay. The Chazanoffs continued to be huge supporters of Sunrise since then—attending events that benefitted the camp and spearheading efforts to raise the funds to make sure that all children could attend for free. Without their commitment to Sunrise, we would not be able to serve 150 children every summer.

Lucille’s positive impact will continue to be felt in years to come at our JCC and across Staten Island. We see her legacy in the children who attend Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island and many of our other programs. It’s visible in other organizations she supported throughout the borough, including the College of Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center, Meals on
Wheels, Northfield Bank Foundation, and the Visiting Nurse Association. We are incredibly grateful and proud of all she was able to accomplish.
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On behalf of our Board and Staff, we join with the Staten Island community in mourning her loss and send our condolences to Jay and the Chazanoff and DeSantis families.

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