(Courtesy of Chai Lifeline) As Adar arrived and Purim joy filled the air, preparations for Chai Lifeline families brought both excitement and unexpected stress. While our families navigate pediatric illness, the challenges of this season are magnified. In response, Chai Lifeline supported nearly 6,000 families, ensuring they could embrace the spirit of Purim while addressing their everyday needs. There were a variety of impactful programs and services available to Chai Lifeline families in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania, Greater New York, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Coast regions.
In the New Jersey/Pennsylvania region, dedicated volunteers took children to buy the items necessary to build mishloach manot. After an uplifting shopping trip, the children returned to the Art Spot in Lakewood, New Jersey to assemble packages and enjoy a delicious supper with their peers.
There were many activities in the Greater New York region designed to alleviate the stress of preparing for the Purim holiday. Families in Brooklyn were able to pick out costumes at The Purim Megastore thanks to the generosity of Ikey Maleh. In Great Neck, Dina Kalaty and her team of volunteers packed over 500 mishloach manot to be given to families for distribution so that the joy of giving can be actualized amidst the busy schedule of doctors’ appointments and hospital stays. Chai Lifeline’s Chassidish division, Achim B’ Yachad, hosted an incredible party for all families, complete with treats and activities to generate simcha for all.
In the Midwest region, simchat Purim was achieved with an extravaganza for all families at the Enchanted Castle in Lombard, Illinois. Families felt uplifted by a day of fun with mini golf, arcades, bumper cars, climbing walls, go carts, bowling and, of course, delicious food for all.
The energy and enjoyment of Purim was elevated in the Mid-Atlantic region with the delivery of mishloach manot from volunteers to their little sibs (and other siblings too!), featuring beautifully curated goodies and snacks. Pretty mishloach manot were prepared and delivered to the families, featuring delicious gourmet truffles and rock candy. A special partnership with a local organization gave adults with special needs the opportunity to pack and deliver mishloach manot to Chai Lifeline children in the hospital. An over-the-top family event was offered at Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, a hands-on kids exploratory center. Children and their families enjoyed the activities on-site and caricature artists, airbrush hat decorating, diamond art, and wooden letter art activities, a scavenger hunt throughout the center and a complete dinner of salad, pizza, dessert and snacks.
In the Southeast region, families had a hole-in-one experience at “Purim Puttacular,” a mini-golf Sunday activity that offered lots of movement and delicious food too. A special activity for girls with “Pumped with Esti” was offered to bring additional Purim fun and dancing good times.
Chai Lifeline children and families in the West Coast region had many options to enjoy, connect and smile together over Purim. In Los Angeles, families were invited to a retro Purim party at a bowling alley, complete with throwback arcades, delicious food and snacks. Mishloach manot were distributed at the party and delivered post-party to any family who could not participate. In Phoenix, volunteers packed and delivered mishloach manot to local Chai Lifeline families.
Through these vibrant Purim events, families find solace and moments of pure happiness amidst their journeys. Chai Lifeline staff and volunteers help celebrate the power of community, compassion and the spirit of Purim, lighting up lives with love and laughter across the country. “Purim time is about simcha (joy) which can be difficult for children and families living with serious illness,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “Through the collective efforts of our volunteers, staff and community of friends, Chai Lifeline makes sure that each child and family celebrates Purim with true simcha and support.”
Chai Lifeline is an international children’s health support network providing social, emotional and financial assistance to children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses and their families. To learn more, visit www.chailifeline.org.
