Thursday, October 1, 2026
The threat of rainstorms couldn’t keep the crowd away from the 11th annual SunriseWALKS event on June 5. Over 2,000 people, the largest turnout in the organization’s history, came to the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds at 8:30 a.m. to show their support for Sunrise Association’s day camp program.
SunriseWALKS are held to raise money so that Sunrise Association can continue to offer day camps to children suffering from cancer at no cost.
Oceanside’s Friedberg Jewish Community Center runs Sunrise Association, which was founded in 2006. Since then they have expanded with new camps in Rockland County, Staten Island, Israel and Baltimore, Maryland. The Rockland County and Staten Island branches also held their SunriseWALKS on the fifth.
Those who arrived early were treated to breakfast, arts and crafts and music. Before the walking began the organization held an opening ceremony in which local Skechers sneakers stores presented President Arnie Preminger with a $192,000 check.
According to the SunriseWALKS website they raised $811,806 at their Long Island event. Rockland County and Staten Island locations also raised a bit over $100,000 each. In one day Sunrise Association raised over $1 million. Even with the weather forecast calling for storms Sunrise Association was able to have their best year yet.
Participants could choose from three distances to walk, .75 miles, 1.7 miles or the 3.1 miles (5K) and following the walk participants were able to enjoy a celebratory carnival despite grey skies. “We really lucked out,” said Judy Fishkind, the marketing director for Sunrise Association. “The rain didn’t start falling until the carnival was almost over, we were able to get everything in.”
Spanning from June 29 to August 18 Sunrise Day Camp’s Long Island program offers children age 3 ½ - 16 who are suffering from cancer an opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities and meet other children outside of the hospital while staying close to their home and their doctors. Camp activities are specifically tailored to accommodate children suffering from chronic illness and with medical personnel always standing by children can have a fulfilling summer camp experience.
