Press Release, Camp Rising Sun

Premier Subaru, in collaboration with Subaru of America, has made a significant donation to Camp Rising Sun as part of their commitment to community support during the 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event. This year, contributions from Premier Subaru Middlebury and Premier Subaru Branford amounted to $66,783 and $75,695 respectively.

These donations have helped push the total contributions from Premier Subaru over the last decade to more than $700,000, underscoring a sustained commitment to providing a cost-free camp for children diagnosed with cancer and their siblings.

Shaun Heffernan, executive director of the Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation, expressed gratitude for the long-standing partnership.

"The support from Bob Alvine and Premier Subaru has been pivotal in expanding our camp’s reach, enabling us to offer the camp experience to more children each year without cost to their families. This partnership has allowed us to broaden the age range of our campers, giving even more children the chance to attend camp and build lifelong friendships,” said Heffernan.

Camp Rising Sun offers a free overnight experience for children aged 5 to 17 who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as their siblings. Staffed by nearly 100 volunteers, including a pediatric oncologist and a dedicated team of nurses, the camp ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees. Located at YMCA Camp Jewell in Colebrook, the camp enables children with cancer and their siblings to participate in a variety of activities such as swimming, arts, and sports, which are adapted to meet the needs of all health levels. With comprehensive medical support provided by Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Camp Rising Sun maintains a secure and accommodating atmosphere for every camper.

Robert Alvine, president of Premier Subaru, reflected on the impact of their contributions.

“Supporting Camp Rising Sun through the Subaru Share the Love Event is a highlight of our year. It's fulfilling to see how our efforts help bring smiles to these children’s faces, providing them with an environment where they can just be kids,” Alvine said.