Today Camp Simcha Special took a moment to pay tribute to a very special person when Camp Simcha Special was rededicated in memory of Zvi Dovid and Solomon Obstfeld. Over the years, Solomon Obstfeld went out his way to help further Camp Simcha’s mission. He was a true member of the Chai Lifeline family, and someone we knew we could always count on to bring smiles to our campers’ faces.
Ten years ago, Solomon had a vision to create a camp to meet the medical and social needs of children and teens with disparate chronic and genetic ailments. He dedicated the camp in memory of his father, Zvi Dovid. Since then, it has become an oasis of fun, friendship, love, and hope for children and teens, ages 8 – 18, whose illnesses require continual medical management. One year ago, on 28 Sivan, Solomon passed away suddenly. It is only fitting that Camp Simcha and Chai Lifeline recognize his tremendous contributions to our cause, and we therefore dedicate Camp Simcha Special to him too.
The program started off with a gala lunch, compliments of our in-house master chef. At the end of the meal, we heard an emotional speech delivered by Avi D. who told us how he ended up in Camp Simcha, and how it has change his life in only four short days.
One year ago, Avi was a healthy 16 year old who enjoyed photography. One day, after school, he wanted to capture the Tampa sunset. He had found a nice spot, but there were still trees in his way. He decided to climb a 35 foot electric pole to get a better view. After taking about a dozen pictures, he felt his foot give way. He instinctively grabbed the closest thing to catch himself, an electric cable. His body absorbed 75,000 volts, and he fell down 35 feet to the ground. His heart had stopped, and he was medically dead. He had fractured his spine in 58 places. One of his kidneys had imploded. He had hundreds of scars from the burns. He had one of his arms amputated because his metal bracelets had melted from the electricity, and fused to his arm. Avi went on to say that he had always loved sleep away camp. Last month, he and his mother decided to do some searches to find a disability accessible camp. He found Camp Simcha on a Google search but believed it was too good to be true! After calling some parents, though, Avi decided to give it to try. Avi went on to say that Camp Simcha has made a indelible impression on him. It has given new purpose to life. It has given him the strength to go on and have faith, even in these trying times. And most of all, he thanked the staff and benefactors for giving children with all disabilities the opprotunity to go to camp.
That emotional address was followed by an speech by Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice president of Chai Lifeline. Rabbi Scholar thanked the Obstfeld family for everything that they have done for Camp Simcha. He went on to rededicate Camp Simcha Special in Solomon’s name too.
The program was capped off by an epic upROAR in the center of the dining room, where we showed our guests the amazing work we do here.