Sound Senior Staff Writer

On July 13, enjoy an “Annual Night Out” to remember in Branford, and help send 115 kids coping with cancer off to make summer memories at Camp Rising Sun.

Non-profit Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation invites the public to support it’s largest fundraising event of the year at the Owenego Inn and Beach Club in Branford on Wed. July 13 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The family-friendly night spreads along the Owenego’s beachfront grounds to include dinner (a delicious cook-out buffet), live music by “Vivid & Mean Carlene,” kids activities and silent auction and raffle with fabulous prizes; many donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Camp Rising Sun Foundation notes all money raised from the July 13 fundraiser directly benefits Camp Rising Sun.

“Annual Night Out” is back for its 15th year and is once again being co-chaired by Camp Rising Sun alumni and Branford residents Jordan Mann and Melissa Pandolfi. Back in 1998, both Mann and Pandolfi experienced their first carefree days at Camp Rising Sun as youngsters, after both had been diagnosed with a type of bone cancer, Ewing Sarcoma. Like many campers, they went on to become camp counselor volunteers and are now in their tenth year returning to work with youngsters at Camp Rising Sun each summer.

“Being a camper at Camp Rising Sun made me forget about my treatments and forget what I was going through. The counselors made me feel like a normal kid enjoying a week at Camp,” said Mann, in statement from Camp Rising Sun Foundation. “The money raised on July 13 will allow 115 campers to experience the same excitement and feeling I did when I was a camper.”

Campers from the ages of five through 17 who have been faced with a diagnosis of cancer enjoy a week’s stay at Camp Rising Sun, which is set up at a YMCA campground, Camp Jewell, in Colebrook CT. With a dedicated group of professional staff and volunteers on hand around the clock, Camp Rising Sun welcomes campers whether they are in remission, in treatment or at any other point in their cancer experience.

Camp Rising Sun 2016 will take place Aug. 21- Aug. 26 with campers set to enjoy classic overnight camping activities including swimming, fireworks, barbecues, board games, hiking, horseback riding, boating and more. All campers attend Camp Rising Sun at no cost, thanks to efforts including the Annual Night Out.

Co-organizers Mann and Pandolfi are grateful for the support the shoreline community provides and are hoping for a big crowd on July 13.

“This event is a community effort, where area businesses donate, residents from local communities attend, and campers come to celebrate with their families,” said Pandolfi.

Camp Rising Sun’s “Annual Night Out” is Wed. July 13, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Owenego Inn and Beach Club, 40 Linden Ave. Branford. Tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for children (ages of 3-15). Cash bar. To purchase tickets, visit www.camprisingsun.com or call (203) 481-7277