I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect walking into the Chelsea Piers Brooklyn Field House on Saturday morning. We had planned, prepared, and rallied for months. But there's always that moment before an event where you hold your breath and hope.
I didn't need to. Brooklyn showed up to PLAY!
More than 300 people walked through those doors ready to play, and I had a front-row seat to every joyful, chaotic, beautiful moment. I also had backup: my husband and two kids came with me, proudly wearing their yellow Project Sunshine t-shirts, and jumped right in to play alongside kids they'd never met, spreading joy like it was the easiest thing in the world. Watching my own children live out the Project Sunshine mission made Saturday mean something extra to me.
A Day Full of Joy
The Chelsea Piers Brooklyn Field House was buzzing from the moment the doors opened. Kids took to the courts and turf for basketball, football, and soccer, coached by the incredible team at Chelsea Piers. Gymnastics and Ninja Warrior allowed kids to show their prowess. Arts and crafts stations sparked creativity, Clixo brought out the builder in everyone, and the games for prizes kept the energy and friendly competition going all day long.
Jersey Mike's subs, Dunkin' donuts, Bakery on Bergen treats, and Pirate's Booty snacks kept everyone fueled and smiling. No complaints from anyone, including my kids.
The excitement was high, the smiles were infectious, and the connection was real. The community showed up, not just to have fun, but to make a difference.
Why It Matters
Every person who attended, donated, or simply spread the word helped Project Sunshine deliver our mission: ensuring that every child facing a medical challenge gets to experience the joy of play. As someone who has seen that impact up close, in hospital wards, in the faces of kids who light up the moment a volunteer walks in the room, I can tell you that what happened on Saturday ripples far beyond Brooklyn.
Project Sunshine serves over 265,000 children and families across 550+ medical facilities every year. Events like the Play-A-Thon remind us, and hopefully you, why that work matters so deeply. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Summer Solstice campaign to spread joy, build awareness, and raise funds.
It's Not Too Late to Get Involved
The Summer Solstice campaign runs all month long, and there are still so many ways to support Project Sunshine in June:
- ❤️ Make a donation — just $15 = one hour of play
- 🌟 Become a fundraiser — start your own page and rally your network
- 📱 Post on your socials — tag us @projectsunshine
- 🤝 Volunteer — join our incredible community of 18,000 changemakers
Thank you to everyone who came out, gave back, and played for a cause. You made Saturday unforgettable, and you're helping us make every day a little brighter for children who need it most.
See you next year. 🌞
Katy Ritz
Chief Development Officer
Project Sunshine
