Last year, New Milford’s own Susan Zelig was approached to run a half marathon for Chai Lifeline. Zelig, a mother of five, told the JLNJ, “I had never run before but it sounded like a great way to get in shape and do a mitzvah.” It was a life altering experience; Zelig became physically fit and raised almost $6000 for Camp Simcha. She trains five days a week, and two of her friends, Micki Bromberg and Heidi Kuperman, will once again join her in this year’s half marathon race.

Chai Lifeline provides year-round emotional, social and financial support to more than 4,300 children and their families every year. Chai Lifeline’s programs and activities change their clients’ lives forever—returning joy and hope, and enabling them to live full and happy lives despite the presence of illness. Its most famous program is Camp Simcha (and its sister camp, Camp Simcha Special). Every year these two camps offer 450 kids a chance to forget about illness and just be kids again.

Zelig hopes to raise more than $5000 by race day, and is looking to the community to help her reach this goal by making a generous tax-deductible donation. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible. The Team Lifeline website (http://www.teamlifeline.org) makes donations quick, easy and secure. Susan’s personal page is found at http://www.teamlifeline.org/my/60899