This past week, HTC proudly hosted Chai Lifeline's "Camp Simcha Without Borders" program on the HTC campus. Camp Simcha is a division of Chai Lifeline, which serves children and teens with cancer and other blood disorders.
Throughout the year and especially during the summer, Chai Lifeline brings joy to the lives of young patients and their families through creative and innovative family-centered programs, activities, and services. At Camp Simcha in the Catskills, these children are treated to an unforgettable, medically-supervised overnight camp experience. Launched during Covid, Camp Simcha Without Borders runs short day camps and special events in cities across the United States and across the globe, providing children who are unable to travel the opportunity to enjoy Camp Simcha in their own hometowns. The program is open to Chai Lifeline clients and their siblings.
HTC/FYHS students regularly participate in Chai Lifeline programs through the year, and a good number of our current students and recent alumni served on the staff of Camp Simcha Without Borders at HTC's campus.
"We extend our greatest and sincerest thanks to HTC for allowing us to use your spacious, beautiful, wheelchair-accessible grounds," said Leah Israel, program coordinator for Camp Simcha Without Borders. "Your staff's extra sensitivity and kindness allowed us to focus more on activities and campers, and it made a difference. And the biggest thanks is for your incredible students. The work they did this week was work of Hashem; every act they did they did was with smiles, laughter and love."
The energy during the four-day camp was palpable. Each morning campers were greeted by exciting music and a welcome line filled with dancing counselors. Camp Simcha campers also enjoyed a petting zoo, axe throwing, basketball performances, a swimming trip, inflatables, crafts activities under the large tent, and so much more.
"We are so grateful to HTC for opening up their campus to us and making it all possible," added Rabbi Shlomo Crandall, Director of Chai Lifeline Midwest. "Children have been robbed of their childhood and Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha Without Borders attempts to give it back to them. We have the opportunity to work with incredible staff and counselors. These young men are future leaders in the making, learning what it means to truly give to others."
"We're so proud of our students for the energy and commitment they bring to Chai Lifeline events, and especially the wonderful programming this past week at our campus," said Rabbi Shmuel Schuman, CEO of HTC, which provided the campus to Camp Simcha free of charge. "HTC was honored to take part in this really meaningful experience, and to do our share in the incredible mitzvah of bringing a week of joy to these campers and their families."
To learn more about Chai Lifeline and to get involved visit chailifeline.org/region/midwest.
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