Ep 12 - The Dopamine of Doing Good: Sunrise Day Camp - Turning Wealth Into Magic for Underprivileged Kids With Cancer and Their Families with Arnie Preminger

In this heartwarming episode of the Crazy Wealthy Podcast, Jonathan Blau sits down with Arnie Preminger, founder and CEO of the Sunrise Association, the organization behind Sunrise Day Camps, the world’s first full-summer day camps for children with cancer and their siblings.

Arnie shares the unlikely story of how a Paul McCartney concert sparked the idea, the challenges of creating a camp model that keeps kids close to critical medical care, and how the program has grown from one camp on Long Island to a global movement across the U.S. and Israel.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Arnie explains the unique model of Sunrise Day Camps for children with cancer

06:52 How a Paul McCartney concert inspired the creation of Sunrise Organization

12:44 Jonathan shares his personal experience volunteering at Sunrise camps

14:39 What motivates Arnie to keep expanding Sunrise

18:09 Fundraising growth from $750k to $14 million annually

21:55 Impact of visiting the camp on donors

24:21 Closing remarks and how to support Sunrise Association

25:04 Recap of the episode with Jon and Amy

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Sunrise Day Camps provide a unique day camp experience for children with cancer, allowing them to return home each night—crucial for those undergoing treatment.
• Childhood cancer affects families across all economic levels, with about 35% of families in Sunrise programs near the poverty line.
• The organization has grown from raising $750,000 in its first year to needing $14 million annually, expanding to 13 physical camps and one virtual camp across the US and Israel.
• Volunteers and donors play a crucial role in Sunrise's success, with personal connections driving significant fundraising efforts.

RESOURCE LINKS

Fusion Family Wealth - Website

Johathan Blau - LinkedIn

Arnie Website

Arnie LinkedIn

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Arnie Preminger has been involved in not-for-profit organizations for the past 41 years, having begun his career as a youth worker and camp counselor in the Bronx in 1976. For 29 of those years, Arnie served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Friedberg JCC. During that time, he presided over the expansion of the agency from a $120,000 operating budget to its current incarnation as the only full-service JCC on the south shore of Long Island with annual operations totaling over twelve million dollars.

Please click below for important disclosure information. https://www.fusionfamilywealth.com/disclosures

ABOUT THE HOST: Jonathan is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, founded in 2013 to focus on behavioral finance and guide clients toward rational financial decisions. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He has a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based in Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports causes like the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family.