More than 450 community leaders and philanthropists recently celebrated Chai Lifeline Southeast’s 18th anniversary Legacy of Hope Gala at the Westin Diplomat & Spa in Hollywood, where Aventura real estate developer Claudio Stivelman was guest of honor.
Chai Lifeline Southeast is the regional arm of an international children’s health-service organization that provides emotional, social and financial support programs to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses or serious chronic conditions.
Stivelman, who was cited for his ongoing commitment to easing the suffering of children, said the dinner was the most touching he has ever experienced.
“The bonding and huge emotional wave,” said Stivelman, “will surely increase the support for such an important organization.”
As a developer, Stivelman has interests across Latin America and the U.S. In the past decade he has led his company, Shefaor Development, to success through real estate investments in and along the northern coast of Miami-Dade County, including Thunder Alley in Aventura.
Chai Lifeline also expressed thanks for Stivelman’s support of its annual summer camps in the Catskill Mountains, which are arranged for 340 very sick children, many of whom arrive in wheelchairs. Organizers say the two-week sessions give these children a chance to experience the activities and environment typical of overnight camps for healthy children. Participants engage in swimming and boating, take part in crafts and creative activities, play sports, and perform in interactive shows and concerts. At the same time, Chai Lifeline’s camps provide one-on-one counseling and rigorous medical supervision.
In addition to such retreats and recreational programs, Chai Lifeline Regional Director Ellen Weiss said her organization’s programs include medical information and referrals, hospital visits and respite, counseling, tutoring, holiday parties, and weekly deliveries of fresh produce and baked goods. She said the region’s volunteers also act as Big Brothers and Sisters, and welcome families who arrive here from around the world for medical care.
For more information, call 305-956-9990 or visit chailifeline.org.
