"With tears in his eyes," Bob Alvine, owner of Branford's Premier Subaru gathered his employees in their showroom and presented a check for $60,092 to Camp Rising Sun Director Shaun Heffernan; said Heffernan in an April 5 press release.

"This donation will send over 40 kids to camp this summer," Heffernan stated to the group. "You will not believe how many smiles and tears of joy this will create."

Through generous donations and the work of dedicated volunteers, Camp Rising Sun provides a carefree summer camp experience for kids who have faced a cancer diagnosis. Premier Subaru's $60,092 contribution to Camp Rising Sun was given as part of the company's annual Share the Love Event. Alvine credits his employees' hard work and dedication with making it possible, according to the release.

During Premier Subaru's ninth annual "Share the Love" donation period, customers purchasing or leasing new Subaru could make a $250 donation to one of four national charities or a fifth local "hometown charity," Camp Rising Sun.

The dealership, located at 150 North Main St., has also significantly supported Camp Rising Sun with past "Share the Love" campaigns, donating $50,000 in 2016 and $33,000 in 2015. Premiere Subaru also hosted Camp Rising Sun's 2016 Annual Night Out, the camp's largest fundraising event of the year, held in Branford.