Welcome, welcome, welcome long awaited Camp Simcha Special campers! What a great first day – and get ready for an even better rest of camp! As the buses unloaded, campers were greeted by a three ring circus, a caravan, a fortune teller, and silly clowns and wild dancers! Returning campers were excited to reunite with their friends again, and new campers were eager to quickly form everlasting friendships.

After settling down, we ate dinner in the “circus” dining room. We had so much fun slurping up our meatballs and spaghetti! It was exciting and energetic to dance once again with our Camp Simcha family and friends!

Everyone headed to the Social Hall for night activity, where the different specialty staff members introduced themselves. We met our lifeguards as they sang “Down by the pool… down by the lake…” Our candle-making staff performed a song to the tune of the Maccabeat’s Purim song, which everyone particularly enjoyed! The waitresses also greeted us with their friendly presentation.

Now heading to bed after an exhausting day. Good night Camp Simcha Special!

[singlepic id=1950 w=620 h=540 float=center]

The grounds of Camp Simcha are once again filling up with staff members getting ready for THE BEST summer ever! We are gearing up for a ton of fun and excitement. Campers, we’re waiting for YOU!

In this video, three families tell the story of how they battled cancer and how Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha played a vital role in getting through it all.

Aaron Appelbaum, a student at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, and fellow scouts from Troop 79 have been making polar fleece blankets for our kids in the hospital at Congregation Beth Judea & Hope Lutheran Church of Long Grove. Many thanks to Polartec, Tietex International, Ltd. and A. Lava & Son Co. for providing fabric for the project.

A group of our recent and youngest children and their families braved the forecast and enjoyed a spectacular Family Funday at Sesame Place along with some our youngest veterans! Special Thanks to Ephraim Shapiro for putting it all together.

[singlepic id=1948 w=320 h=240 float=center]

On a misty and cold morning a crowd of 134 Chai Cyclists rode Lake Shore Drive in unison. Bikers rode a distance of choice, reaching up to 52.5 miles for some of our veteran bikers. Thanks to all those who braved the fog to support our cyclists and the children & families we serve. Check out one mom’s Bike the Drive story:

And the Miriam Award goes to…

On Tuesday, Chai Lifeline West Coast held their first Volunteer Awards Night. The event was sponsored by Miriam’s Heart, a program that reaches out to teenagers and young adults living with serious illness, and pays tribute to volunteers who give so generously of themselves to bring joy and hope to Chai Lifeline’s children and their families. Miriam’s Heart was dedicated in memory of Miriam Rabinowitz A”H by her parents Joshua and Debbie Rabinowitz.

Mark Maxwell-Smith who as the beloved “Pun” performs at Chai Lifeline’s hospital-based parties received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Effects. High School student Nikki Dror received the award for Art Direction due to the hours she has devoted to our art programs. Phyllis Steinberg, who travels far and wide to deliver meals to hospitals, received the Miriam Award for “Best Location Scout.” Oren Rehany, who has been serving as a Big Brother for the past six years, received the Miriam Award for Best Big Brother. High School student Julia Reifkind who has been volunteering for Chai Lifeline for several years through special projects and events, and as a Big Sister this past year, won the Miriam Award for Best Big Sister. The final award – The “Best Picture of Chai Lifeline” award was presented to Avital Abraham for her extraordinary support and dedication to Chai Lifeline. The program ended with a moving photo montage which paid tribute to all of our super star volunteers.

A special thank you to Shery Katzovitz and Shuli Lowy for writing, directing, and producing this event.

[singlepic id=1945 w=320 h=240 float=center]

Our young ladies were pampered to the extreme during an evening of elegance at Le Petit Spa.

Many thanks to Jerusalem Pizza for sponsoring pizza & ices, to Cindy Itzkowitz for the beautiful custom made cookies, and Angel Limousine for getting us there in style.

[singlepic id=1944 w=320 h=240 float=center]

Our big sister/ little sister program was treated to a fun filled weekend in Monsey, NY. The girls began their extended weekend on Friday by enjoying the rides, arcades, and prizes at Sports Station. Upon their arrival in Monsey, the girls had a festive lunch, went swimming, and designed their own fleece blankets. After a fun Shabbos together, each girl returned home with a personalized towel, personalized Tehillim, and the fortitude to continue dealing with the illness of a sibling.

Many thanks to the Fischl family for hosting this festive weekend and to our wonderful volunteers for their time.

[singlepic id=1943 w=620 h=540 float=center]

Forty girls were treated to manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and t-shirt decorating in what was a day of fun and beauty at Tipperary Hair Styles. Each girl received a gift bag of beauty products and other goodies from Talia.

This day of beauty was sponsored by Talia Wohlberg who raised funds for this event as part of her Bat Mitzvah Project. Many thanks to Talia Wohlberg, her mother, Terry, and sister, Liza, who all helped out at the event. Heartfelt thanks to Debby Parker and her wonderful team of stylists, Brenda Walt & Monika Lightstone, to Catering By Brenda for donating a sumptuous lunch and smoothy bar, and to our fantastic team of volunteers.

[singlepic id=1942 w=620 h=540 float=center]