The international reach of Chai Lifeline, the children’s health support network that brings hope and joy to families around the world, is evident this week as the organization’s many chol hamoed activities enhance the delight of thousands of children and families across the globe.
The largest gathering took place at Dorney Park, where more than 1,400 Chai Lifeline guests spent a day at one of the northeast’s premier amusement venues. Families traveled from as far south as Baltimore and as far north as Rockland and Orange counties to spend time with one another. Chai Lifeline’s counselors, famous for their raucous good humor and endless supply of hugs and love, were everywhere. They accompanied children onto the fastest and highest roller coasters, encouraging children who rarely have opportunities for outings like this one to scream with each steep plunge and sharply rounded corner. Parents stood in awe as their children alit, their young faces pale but their laughter loud and clear, and immediately entered the queue to repeat the experience.
A day of rides and attractions might have been enough for some, but Chai Lifeline’s young volunteers went the extra mile, organizing a concert that brought families together in the late afternoon.
“The park was a sea of green,” said Faige Yudkovsky, director of volunteer services and coordinator of the event. “Chai Lifeline families were a large presence in the park. Everywhere you looked, there were families having a wonderful time together.”
Another 350 Chai Lifeline children and families and counselors enhanced their holiday with an exuberant Simchas Bais HaShoeva in Clifton, New Jersey. Families came from Monsey, Williamsburgh, Boro Park, and Monroe to dance and support one another.
The support that families receive from one another at events like this one keeps them going for months. “Many of the families know one another from other Chai Lifeline events. As soon as they hear of an event like this, they want to be there,” said coordinator Hershey Katz.
A record heat wave on the west coast couldn’t keep Chai Lifeline families away from the annual Sukkos Family Extravaganza at Scandia. The event has become a “must” on the social calendars of hundreds of friends and supporters, who flock to the park. Over 1,800 friends and supporters joined 100 volunteers and 150 Chai Lifeline patients, parents, and siblings.
“We brought ice chests and a boatload of drinks to keep guests hydrated during the day,” explained Randi Grossman, regional director. “We weren’t going to let the heat get in the way!”
Like all amusement parks, Scandia features a wide array of rides and attractions for every age group. Chai Lifeline, which takes over the park for the day, brings the enjoyment to a new level with entertainment and child-centered projects throughout the day. This year’s entertainment includes jugglers, stilt-walkers, face painting, balloon artistry, and live music.
Though the US was enjoying one of the warmest Sukkos in memory, fall has already begun in Canada. Chai Lifeline Canada, the organization’s North American affiliate, took advantage of the change in seasons to bring its families to Brooks Farm, a Toronto-area attraction. Together with volunteer counselors, children and their parents enjoyed a day of farm activities that included apple picking, pumpkin shooting, hayrides, and running through a corn maze.
Across the sea, Sukkos was a time for merriment and fun for British children with cancer and other serious illnesses. Camp Simcha UK, Chai Lifeline’s affiliate, celebrated Sukkos at Chessington World of Daventure, a London-area theme park, on Sunday. Manchester families joined 800 friends and supporters at the Zippos Circus in Manchester, laughing with the clowns and “oohing” and “aahing” as they watched the performers.
Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special counselors spending the year learning in Israel brought “Simcha Magic” to the Mamila Mall this week. An overflow crowd witnessed campers and their counselors singing and dancing to the “Waving Flags” song performed by the camp in Times Square this summer. (Even those who had not been to camp are familiar with the song: videos of the event have been seen more than 100,000 times on Youtube.) Counselors, campers, and families then marched to the Kotel for Maariv with their flags, chanting and singing all the way. The evening ended with a festive Simchas Bais HaShoeva, complete with a deluxe barbecue, music and the wild dancing for which Camp Simcha summers are known.
“Sukkos is z’man simchaseinu, and we are determined to give families fighting pediatric illness a chance to rejoice in body and spirit. Events like these allow families to forget about illness for a while. They give children a chance to be kids once again, and parents feel extra nachas when they see their boys and girls, in the arms of loving counselors, laughing and playing as if they haven’t a care in the world,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline’s executive vice president.
He added that the simcha of the events comes from the hundreds of volunteers who give their time throughout the year to make a difference in the lives of Chai Lifeline’s children and their families.
“Their compassion and energy make every day into a holiday for our children. The impact of their love is felt all year long,” he emphasized.
YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
Truly a Simchas Yom Tov to all readers. Children need fun and adventures for their youth development, but who needs it more than a cancer stricken child. The Gemara says we should distinguish between the needs of a man, woman and child when giving them Simchas Yom Tov. Chai Lifeline materialized that ruling to children with other needs. They don’t just need some fun or enjoyment, they need to forget their pain first. Thank you Chai Lifeline for being there for every one in Klal Yisroel at their time of need. May no one ever need their services again and it shall be Kol Hmachla Lo Asim Alecha…