The children of Camp Gan Israel of Orange County, a Chabad-Lubavitch-run summer camp in Washingtonville, N.Y., joined some 50,000 other youngsters across the United States and Canada to help others enjoy their summer at a network of camps for children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
The Chai-a-Thon charity – in Hebrew, chai means “life” – saw the more than 60 campers in Orange County raise money for Camp Simcha through jumping and running. Chaim Pincus, 8, of Washingtonville, raised more than $200 by running 61 laps.
“I felt good about raising money for the Chai-a-Thon, because the money will help sick children enjoy summer activities,” said Pincus. “ I hope we can do this every summer.”
According to Gan Israel director Chana Burston, who is also the co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Orange County, a representative of Camp Simcha visited with the Washingtonville campers and showed them a video of the children who would benefit from their efforts.
“Our campers were enthusiastic,” said Burston, director of Camp Gan Israel, which recently completed its third summer of operation. “Teaching our children to give to others helps counter the self-absorbed focus of today’s society. The Chai-a-Thon was an excellent opportunity to remind the campers that there are children out there who are very sick, and that we can help them.”
The project “was a wonderful way to emphasize this year’s camp theme of ‘We Can Do It,’ ” said Chaya Landes, a London native who serves as the head counselor and program coordinator of Camp Gan Israel. “ ‘We Can Do It’ empowers each child to realize that they make a difference and better the world by performing good deeds.”
Start a Discussion