ELIZABETHTOWN — Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity joined families to help kick off the Pennsylvania State Police’s (PSP) Sunny Day Camp, a special program designed to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Sunny Day Camp was created in 2016 by Lt. Samantha Minnucci, inspired by her brother Gabriel, who was unable to participate in PSP’s Camp Cadet due to his disability. Rather than accept that exclusion, Minnucci created an alternative — a camp specifically designed for individuals like Gabriel.

“Lt. Minnucci knew her brother Gabriel couldn’t participate in PSP’s Camp Cadet despite his enthusiasm for the program, and when she looked for alternatives, she came up empty-handed,” Garrity said. “She set out to create an opportunity herself, and her commitment to her brother helped create the wonderful program that we know today as Sunny Day Camp that benefits Pennsylvanians across the state.”

This year, the PA ABLE Savings Program (PA ABLE) is a proud sponsor of Sunny Day Camp, which includes the event hosted at Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown as well as camps hosted by troops across the commonwealth.

Sunny Day Camp activities include a K9 Unit demonstration, a police helicopter display and a formal graduation ceremony for participants.

PA ABLE accounts help Pennsylvanians with disabilities to save for future expenses without jeopardizing their eligibility for important benefits.

“Since I took office in 2021, assets in PA ABLE have more than tripled,” Garrity said. “Nearly 11,000 account owners have saved more than $167 million to pay for disability-related expenses which shows the tremendous impact this program can have on the lives of Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Treasury is excited to partner with Sunny Day Camp to help support its mission and help spread the word about PA ABLE.”

PA ABLE offers individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-free way to save and invest while preserving access to benefits such as Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and, with some limitations, Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified disability expenses are also tax-free.

PA ABLE includes:

• Multiple savings and investment options, including a checking account;
• Annual contribution limit of up to $19,000;
• Pennsylvania state income tax deductions for contributions; and
• Protection of federal and many state benefits.

To learn more about PA ABLE, visit paable.gov or call (855) 529-ABLE.

To find a Sunny Day Camp near you, visit sunnydaycamp.org.