Purim fundraiser to be held at East Meadow Jewish Center

The East Meadow Jewish Center Sisterhood is hosting its 2nd annual “Purim Party with a PURPOSE,” on Sunday, March 3, a fundraiser to raise money in memory of two young children who recently died.

Ayelet Galena, of New York City, was born two months premature, and was later diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called dyskaratosis congenital, requiring a bone marrow transplant for survival. She received a successful transplant on Aug 30, 2011, but lost her battle due to complications on Jan. 31, 2012.

Zachary Ryan, of North Bellmore, was born three months premature on May 6, 2012, and in September, he died of chronic lung disease, which is a major source of morbidity for extremely low birth weight infants.

The Purim party is in memory of the two children, and the proceeds will be split between the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease program.

Last year, the EMJC Sisterhood raised more than $1,000 during their Purim party, but this year they are hoping to raise more.

The fundraiser will be held at the East Meadow Jewish Center on 1400 Prospect Avenue from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the cost of attendance is $15 at the door, with all proceeds going to the two charities. The event, geared towards toddlers, will feature popular children’s performer Darlene Graham, balloon animals, face painting, crafts, story weaving and raffles.

“This is a way that little kids can have an impact on something big," said East Meadow resident Jennifer Melnick, who organized the event. “It's small children making big differences."

The Sisterhood requests attendees to donate headbands, hairclips, stickers and toys that can be delivered to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center at North Shore LI.J.

Those who wish to donate, but cannot attend the festivities, can make checks payable to the East Meadow Jewish Center, with the memo of "Purim With a Purpose," Attn: Sisterhood. Email emjctots@aol.com for more information.

To visit the website of the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, visit http://www.giftoflife.org/default.aspx.

To visit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease program, go to http://www.chop.edu/service/neonatology/our-programs/newborn-infant-chronic-lung-disease.