The David Posnack Jewish Community Center’s (JCC) Sunrise on Wheels program is bringing the joy of childhood to kids with cancer and their siblings at local hospitals. Equipped with a large trunk filled with crafts, toys, games and activities, trained David Posnack JCC staff make routine visits to hospitals, spending time with children undergoing treatment and their families, striving to make challenging hospital days a bit brighter.
“Undergoing treatment and being in the hospital, these kids don’t get to make their own choices often,” said Douglas Pennington, Ambassador of Fun. “Showing up to the hospital with a trunk filled with crafts and games for them to choose from gives them that opportunity to make their own choice, bringing them joy.”
The staff visit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital three days a week and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital Broward Health once a week, bringing fun and activities to them. The program allows parents to take time for themselves while their children play with the staff whom they look forward to seeing each week.
“Sunrise on Wheels is a free program that began in October 2023,” said Jackie Borenstein, Sunrise South Florida Programs Coordinator. “After spending so much time with these children and families, they’ve become a part of our family and we’ve become a part of theirs.”
The Sunrise on Wheels program, a signature program at the David Posnack JCC, is associated with the national program, Sunrise Association. The program is made possible by grants from Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Department of Health, along with support from generous donors.
The program has plans to expand its work with the Sunrise Day Camp program, bringing children who have finished cancer treatment and their siblings to the David Posnack JCC for an authentic day camp experience at no charge during Summer 2025.
