Elka

Epstein

When I was 12, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was extremely hard for my family. The pain of not knowing what the future could hold was overwhelming, and it took a big toll on my sisters and I. B"H, we had an amazing community who was there for us. But no one was here for us as much as Chai4ever! was. From the yearly birthday cards and chanukah gifts and mishloach manot on Purim. Their "Big Sister, Little Sister" program is amazing, too. I had a "big sister" for the first time in my life, and she helped me out a lot when I was anxious about home, school, or graduating and going to highschool. But nothing can compare to Camp4ever!. It was the first time I felt like I belonged among a group of random strangers. We all understood each other because it's the only place that is just all girls who have one (and even sometimes two) sick parent(s). It's a place of zero social pressure, total acceptance, and 100% fun. Unfortunately, they have been having a hard time raising the necessary funds to keep this program going. Soooo many children rely on this camp as a chance to just be a kid or teen again. Or to just have 2 weeks to breathe and relax before going back to the stressful lives they live. And that's why I'm turning to you. You can help these kids smile again. I've seen the pain these girls have gone through. And I've made amazing friends with incredible stories. No child should have to carry the world on their own. And every kid deserves to have a carefree summer and to be a kid again. Please help me give back to this amazing community of heroes and warriors. תזקו למצוות!!!!

Elka Epstein