Dear Bikers,
I came across an article about your efforts to raise money for Chailifeline/Camp Simcha. Unfortunately, I personally am one of the beneficiaries of this wonderful organization. This summer was my daughter’s fourth summer in camp and I cannot begin to explain how Camp Simcha is an integral part of her emotional welfare. This summer my daughter celebrated her Bas Mitzvah in camp and though she was very sick, it will be a day that she will forever cherish. Many people try doing chessed in different ways. This is an original idea and I applaud you for taking up such a worthy cause. May Hashem grant you much hatzlacha in all that you do.

Below is a copy of a letter that I recently wrote to Rabbi Scholar. It will give you a little insight into what Camp Simcha does.

“Dear all,

Twelve short years ago we were shattered by the devastating news that we received from a pediatrician at the hospital. Your daughter has a debilitating life threatening disease. We did not know where to turn. Boruch Hashem, with a lot of Siyata Dishmaya we were guided to Lakewood NJ, where we found another few families dealing with the same issues. We were eventually introduced to a most wonderful family named Chailifeline. We became a part of it.

Twelve years have passed by very fast and at last, this week, our daughter will reach a milestone in her life. With her Bas Mitzvah, we are blessed with a very wonderful, smart and sensitive girl. Our daughter has developed skills that many children her age are lacking. This is in great part due to her friends, counselors and campers of Camp Simcha. The amazing staff of the camp are part of this great family. The medical staff is one of a kind. The professionalism is non-paralleled. Camp Simcha has become an integral part of her life. We cannot imagine life without Camp Simcha. It just would not be the same.

A little more than one hour ago, I put my daughter on the bus that will take her to her “dream world”. The excitement leading up to this day was palpable. Since returning home from camp last summer, a day has not passed that she would not mention the amazing time she had in the “swine 2009″ season. Over the year she often dreamt of the 2010 season, wondering what the theme will be, who will be her counselor and of her friends that she has become attached to with heart and soul. More than one tear ran down my cheek seeing her greeting the counselors and friends. Hugs and kisses were plentiful and just seeing this can melt ones heart. There were no barriers. Seeing counselors and campers from such different backgrounds joining in an effort to be mechazek one another is amazing. At times like this I often wonder who is being mechazek who. The achdus that was shown cannot be explained.

It is at this time that we feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to Hashem for bringing us to this day. We will be forever grateful to Rabbi Scholar and all the people who make Chailifeline the most wonderful chessed organization in the world. The staff members at Camp Simcha are the most dedicated people around and will bend their backs (literally) to make a child or an adult feel good in a time of need. There aren’t enough words in my vocabulary to express our heartfelt thanks to you all.

May Hashem bentch you all with much nachas and gezunt,

Grateful parents

P.s. Sorry that I did not mention all of you by name. This list would be endless.”

This is just a little sample of my feelings toward this wonderful organization. On August third I will be there applauding your dedication to Chailifeline, sending you off on this great fundraiser, giving you chizuk that you are involved in helping the best and finest people in our community.

Thank You,

A grateful parent

To all people reading this, please, come out to support the bikers. Show them that we care and appreciate their efforts.