Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island: Four women honored at fundraiser
Originally published in
Staten Island Advance
on
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The month of March always serves as a time to amplify the voices and stories of women who make a difference.
The Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC’s Fourth annual Women Front & Center Dinner at LiGreci’s Staaten, celebrated female empowerment while raising funds for the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, a free summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings.
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton was recognized for securing $550,000 in funding from New York State for Sunrise Day Camp.
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
Scarcella-Spanton represents New York’s 23rd District, covering the North and East shores of Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn.
Her legislative efforts to help families affected by stillbirth earned her recognition from an advocacy group. She organized families from each district to speak to their assembly members and garnered 148 sponsors for legislation that is now law.
Brandon Patterson, vice president of the JCC Board at Sunrise Day Camp presented Scarcella-Spanton with her award.
“We were both given the opportunity to serve and help our neighbors.” he said. “Jessica is fiercely loyal to her friends, her family and Staten Island, and she got a half million dollars from the State budget for Sunrise Day Camp.”
“I am an incredibly lucky person to have so many good friends in my life,” said Scarcella-Spanton. “When I went to see Sunrise Day Camp, I was blown away. For children who don’t have a typical childhood, it’s an incredible experience This is what Staten Island is truly about. Thank you to Diane Savino, my mom, and all of you for giving me this recognition tonight and thank you to all of these amazing women.”
