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Archives for 2011

    Birthday Parties and More

    We loved being part of a grand day in Jerusalem last week when two busloads of LA-based March of the Living participants took part in a tzedakah/mitzvah event we helped arrange with two of our programs. Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg of Birthday Angels arranged for ten simultaneous birthday parties at Neve Michael and we heard that the celebrants and their classmates, as well as the guests from California had a great time mingling with Sesame Street characters who were part of the festivities.

    In addition, March of the Living teens also had a chance to interact with 200 survivors who reside in a local hotel. Darla Oz from House to House put together an amazing program which we are sure will not be forgotten by either group. As Darla shared with us this morning:

    The event was fabulous!!!!

    …the group brought all kinds of things for us to put in the gift bags. Also, I purchased for them one towel for each Survivor. It was truly "A DAY TO REMEMBER".

    The kids were the best ever; they interacted with the Survivors and they loved it. One young girl spoke Russian and she taught them how to say a couple of words. They also wrote a little note in Russian and gave one to every Survivor.

    It was pure joy for the Good People Fund to help make these arrangements. We know that everyone who participated benefited from the experiences.

    Two Women on a Mission

    Miriam Avraham and Beth Steinberg are Jerusalem Moms, each with a special needs child. When faced with limited opportunities to provide their kids with meaningful summer and after-school activities they decided it was time to do something about it. Refusing to just bemoan the lack of quality programs, they set about to start their own. What began in 2007 as a summer program with 10 children, has grown today to Shutaf, a well-run quality organization that provides summer camp, after-school activities and holiday camp experiences for both special needs and typical kids. This inclusive program follows a model that encourages diversity and welcomes children with and without disabilities from across the religious and economic spectrum.

    We first visited Shutaf on a warm afternoon during our Israel trip this past February. Set in Jerusalem’s beautiful Nature Museum, Shutaf’s programs were literally buzzing with activity. Each group is composed of both special needs and typical children of different ages with a range of disabilities. As we walked the halls we noticed one group intently watching a snake handler sharing the mysteries of snakes, while another group nearby was working on an arts and crafts project. In all of the noise and activity stood Deb, Shutaf’s amazing program director, totally unfazed by the din and activity.

    Have Miriam and Beth hit upon a real need in their community? You bet. In the few years since they began, they now have a waiting list of families anxious to enroll their kids in Shutaf programs.

    It did not take us long to decide that Good People Fund tzedakah could be wisely invested in scholarships for potential campers. In addition, a generous donor came forward and underwrote an amazing Purim party which all the kids enjoyed.

    Of Androids and Good People

    We were excited to hear of the completion today of AmpleHarvest.org’s free app that allows anyone with the new Android phone to access AmpleHarvest.org’s database to find nearby food pantries or soup kitchens where they can donate any excess produce from their home gardens. This app, along with an earlier version suitable for the iphone was underwritten by a grant from the Good People Fund.

    Gary Oppenheimer, AmpleHarvest.org’s founder told us exactly how it works:

    Using either the built in GPS or a user entered zip code, the app displays a Google map highlighting all of the AmpleHarvest.org registered food pantries in the area. Once a pantry is selected, it then displays detailed data including the contact and address information, days/times that the pantry can accept donations, as well as information about items the pantry most urgently needs. It can also connect the user with the pantry web site if one exists. Lastly, it also provides donors a convenient way to inform AmpleHarvest.org about the items or produce donated, should they wish to.

    For most of us the planting season is about to get underway. It costs so little to plant a bit more–think of how many hungry people might benefit from your green thumb!

    Never Give Up-Postscript

    Shortly after we told Randi that we had made the car payments (see Diary April 12) she shared the following note from Susan, along with a picture of her family:

    Randi and Angels,

    This is my beautiful family, however you can see something is not quite right in my eyes. I had just found out (about my cancer) days before and almost canceled this photo. So glad I never did that. Today I’m not too pretty, but I’m here. Please let the angel, angels, whoever, know I’m smiling BIG today and for days to come. I felt the biggest energy burst and cried many happy tears… My family will be unable to say anything other than, "thank you again and again." It’s like we just won the lotto and not because of money, but because we have what we need and that includes peace. God bless you all for caring for my family.

    Hugs,

    The…..Family

    Never Give Up

    Sometimes, we are truly amazed at how much good we can facilitate in the early morning hours. By 7am today we were involved in an exchange with Randi Cairns, founder of Home Front Hearts.

    Mother of four, wife of a soldier who has just been deployed (again) to Afghanistan, Randi began Home Front Hearts to raise awareness of, and offer help to military families, particularly from their local communities.

    Randi and I spoke about Susan* whose military husband is now stateside since Susan’s breast cancer diagnosis. Trained as a nurse and with an advanced degree in social work, Susan’s illness and her husband’s recent transfer to a new base in a warmer climate are creating short term difficulties for this family with four children. They now find themselves in financial distress and yet, along the way, people have appeared to help. A few days ago, Susan stopped at the gas station, kids in tow, and suddenly realized she did not have money for gas. As she gathered the kids and prepared to walk home, a farmer, filling his own tank, quietly filled hers and sent her on her way.

    Randi had managed to find funds for food and weather-appropriate clothes for the family but their car is now in danger of being repossessed since they have been unable to make the last few payments. Randi told us that in spite of all of this she learned that Susan manages to put it all in perspective. In an earlier email to Randi, Susan shared the following:

    …You inspire me. I talked about you today when I spoke with a lady I met at the pharmacy. Her mother had survived the Holocaust, and she wanted me to know that we "Humans" can do anything, but often it isn’t easy. She told me how strong her mother would have to have been, and that she never gave up!! My battle is nowhere comparable, however I realize this is part of my "test." My goal from now on is to never give up!

    By the time Randi and I finished our conversation, the Good People Fund had committed several payments towards the car (which is nearly paid off). Hopefully Susan’s optimism will prevail while her family struggles to stay afloat.

    * a pseudonym

    SEE DIARY ENTRY FOR 4/13 WITH AN UPDATE ON THIS STORY

    It’s All About Food

    I cannot express how you truly make the Passover meal possible to my immediate family…we thank you so much, especially this year which is so financially burdensome for us. You are more than Good People-you are Great People!

    —-Linda

    Linda’s note is one of many we have received in the past few days as our Passover food coupons have arrived in the homes of people who we have identified as being in need of help with this food-centric holiday.

    In addition to our US recipients, more than $20,000 was sent to Israel for the purchase of both food coupons and thousands of boxes of matzah which the Rabbanit Kapach is distributing this week.

    Now, if we could just finish our own shopping!