Purim fundraiser nets thousands

Paula Gottlieb Herman, left, created edible crafts with Chelsey Fenster, 4, center, Sarah Lazerson, 6, and Alexandra Fenster 6, at the East Meadow Jewish Center’s third annual Purim With a Purpose children’s event. The fundraiser netted $3,300 which will be dispersed to two children’s charities.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

The East Meadow Jewish Center’s third annual Purim With a Purpose was a success yet again, raising more than $3,300. The Sunday event was attended by nearly 300 people.

The proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Newborn and Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program and the Patient Advocate Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps patients with healthcare and insurance access problems.

The event was in held in the memory of Zachary Ryan from North Bellmore, who with his twin was born premature at 25 weeks. They were treated at CHOP, and Zachary died in September 2012 before he was five months old. His twin survived and lives at home with his parents and older sister.

Entertainment included live music by children’s performer Darlene Graham, edible crafts, Zumba fitness, raffles, face painting and balloon animals. Various businesses in East Meadow, Bellmore and Merrick, as well as across Nassau County also made donations.

Those who still want to contribute can visit www.purimparty.mabelslabels.com, where 20 percent of all label purchases will go to the cause.