Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC Pickleball Charity Tournament: Staten Island bocce and pickleball players came together on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island to raise funds for the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island. The event benefits children with cancer and their siblings by supporting free summer camp programs.
Event Activities and Winners
The day began with open-play pickleball, giving players of all levels a chance to enjoy friendly matches. In the afternoon, bocce players competed on the outdoor courts. The winning bocce team included Paul M. Hamel, Solomon Chemo, and Russell Derector.
Organizers and Supporters
The tournament was co-chaired by Solomon Chemo, Cory Schifter, Brian Lincer, and Lina Fang. During the event, the JCC honored Paul M. Hamel, Rhonda Ruggiero, and the Staten Island Chamber of Business Guild III for their continued support of Sunrise Day Camp.
Community Impact
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said,
“We just finished up another amazing summer at Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, where we welcomed a record number of campers.
We are grateful to our chairs, sponsors, players and honorees for making this year’s tournament our most successful to date, and for helping to fund this incredible program for children with cancer and their siblings.”
Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, a member of the Sunrise Association, is the only day camp of its kind in New York City. Each summer, it hosts more than 170 children from Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey at Staten Island Academy in Todt Hill. The camp provides swimming, sports, games, and other activities free of charge.
News in Brief: Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC Pickleball Charity Tournament
The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island hosted its annual bocce and pickleball tournament on September 10, 2025, raising funds for Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island. The event included open-play pickleball, competitive bocce, and honored supporters. Sunrise Day Camp offers free summer programs for over 170 children affected by cancer.
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