The annual Chai Lifeline Toy Drive is in full swing! Children of all ages across the New Jersey/Pennsylvania region are collecting toys for the children of Chai Lifeline. The toys will be packaged and distributed to the pediatric illness warriors and their siblings on Chanukah, bringing them a sense of warmth and celebration during this joyous time of year.
“Who wouldn’t want to put a smile on a child’s face, especially a child going through some challenging times?” comments Mrs. Berger as she drops off a box full of toys at the Chai Lifeline office.
“When a child is born or diagnosed with a serious illness, the entire family is affected,” states Rabbi Sruli Fried, NJ Regional Director. “Our goal is to bring smiles to the faces of Chai Lifeline children, and for each child in the family to feel special and that they are cared for.”
And the Toy Drive is doing just that.
“In our everyday hectic lives, this is a great opportunity to take a moment and think of the children of Chai Lifeline,” says Mr. Y. Klein, a volunteer. “It means to them that we, as a community, had them in our thoughts.” And as reflected by one mother of a girl with a serious illness, “My 7 year old daughter, Chavi, came home last year smiling and hugging her new doll, whispering in its ear, >the following should be in italics> who’s the special girl that thought of me this Chanukah? I wish I could meet her and thank her.”
“The ‘Adopt a Family’ was a great success in the past, so we are expanding it this year,” says Mrs. E. Cohen, a toy drive coordinator. Every Chai Lifeline family has the chance to put in a request for specific toys for each child in the family. Chai Lifeline then pairs them up with a sponsor family to fill their wish list. Sometimes a few neighbors adopt a family together. “It’s really touching to see the community getting together like this,” remarks Mrs. Cohen.
In addition, sponsors can purchase gifts and drop them in a collection box at the register in following stores:
1. Toys 4 U
2. Judaica Plaza
3. Toys For Thought
4. DB Electronics
5. Pharmex/Toymax
6. Creative Kids
For more information and to join Adopt a Family, please call Chai Lifeline at 732-719-1700.
Chai Lifeline thanks all those who have already sponsored toys, as well as the dedicated volunteers who coordinate, collect, transport, wrap, and pack to ensure the success of the Toy Drive.
[TLS – Press Release]