Chanukah will be sweeter this year for the hundreds of Chai Lifeline children and families in Lakewood who enjoyed a Candy Land themed pre-Chanukah party last week at Ateres Reva Hall.

Guests were greeted by a marvelous display of candy, designed by the famous Mrs. Chavi Chase of Pret-a-Partee, featuring favorite Candy Land locations Lollipop Woods, Gummy Hills and Chocolate Mountain, to name a few. Balloons prepared by Judie Singer added a festive touch to the room. A fleishig buffet dinner ensured that all guests had a large selection of healthy foods before the candy crush hit!

The fun began as the children were able to follow a candy trail into a real Candy Castle, catch a ride on a spinning dreidel ride, and take a photo inside a life-sized gingerbread man! The donut wall was a great hit, as each child was able to pluck off a donut and decorate it with icing and sprinkles of his choice.

Chanukah crafts booths kept the children occupied while the adults enjoyed reconnecting with their Chai Lifeline friends. “I get so much chizuk each time I come to the Chai Lifeline parties. I see other mothers dealing with similar challenges, and we can schmooze and have a great time together,” says Mrs. L. The children created scratch art, menorah, and dreidel projects that they are proud to display at home on Chanukah. One of the popular booths, as usual, was Rabbi Braunstein’s dreidel construction craft which had a long line throughout the night! A special candy sand art activity by Mrs. Ariela Lomnitz of Face Craze NJ had the children giggling as they filled up on candy.

The Shloime Friedman orchestra, with Yaakov Zeines on the keyboard, kept the room pulsing with a Chanukah spirit. The children were thrilled when Uncle Moishy took the stage, featuring some of their favorite Chanukah tunes! The children (and adults, too!) were wowed by the Michael DuBois Solo Circus, who performed fantastic feats of juggling and sideshow stunts. The night culminated in lively singing and dancing, led by rising superstar singer, Yehuda Aderet.

After a fun-filled evening, each child received a wrapped Chanukah gift box! Chai Lifeline Event Coordinator, Mrs. Shainy Katz, comments, “This remains the highlight of the Chanukah event for the children, who face the challenge of illness in their families during the happy Chanukah season. They know that there is a gift box waiting for them, so that the excitement of the party actually lasts for days to come.” As one parent said, “It’s a huge pressure to make sure my kids have their Chanukah gifts, to their liking, wrapped and all ready for Chanukah, when I’m in the hospital for weeks at a time. This program is amazing!” Toys are donated through the Chai Lifeline toy drive, prepared and wrapped with each child in mind by dedicated volunteers Pessi Friedman, Traci Levine and Chaya Seinfeld. The toys were collected by the Lakewood community’s schools, stores, businesses, neighborhoods, and individual families through the Adopt-a-Family program. Those families who did not attend the party will have their gift box delivered to their home on Chanukah.

Once again Chai Lifeline would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers that are involved throughout the year!

Happy Chanukah!

[TLS – Press Release]