Civil trial attorney with Alex (Avi) Berkowitz @ Kids of Courage Shabbaton
After a fantastic Camp Simcha Special summer experience, Alexander (aka Avi) was about to board a plane back to Tampa, FL when Chai Lifeline made his dream come true. Sam Zaks showed up with a brand new Nikon D90, a gift from Chai Lifeline and an anonymous donor who met him last week during a visit to camp.
Alexander had been a budding photographer until his accident two years ago, and the camera will allow him get back in the game on a new level. He was clearly moved when presented with the gift outside the Continental Airlines terminal at Newark Airport, and was ecstatic to be sharing the moment with his counselor and friends. As the video shows, he could not stop smiling as the group crowded around him, singing and cheering in true Camp Simcha Special EPIC '11 fashion.
Many thanks to Avi's counselors, Yoni Burstyn & Yaakov Avigdor, for initiating this wonderful surprise.
Each summer, 400 seriously ill children are treated to unforgettable, medically supervised overnight camp experiences at Camp Simcha, for children battling cancer and other hematological illnesses, and Camp Simcha Special, for children with debilitating chronic conditions.
At Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, children and teens trade hospital rooms and doctors' offices for fun, friendship, and hope for the future. Campers enjoy traditional camp activities in fully handicapped-accessible facilities. Talent shows, concerts, and helicopter, hot-air, and motorcycle rides make every day super-special.
Campers return home reinvigorated, with deep friendships and happy memories to help them travel the rough road ahead.
