Sometimes the request is so simple; the only answer can be a resounding, "Yes!"
This email from Dalia Abbot (who works with the elders) at Project Ezra on the Lower East Side just popped up…
I have run into a bit of road block and am hoping the Good People Fund would be able to help out. I have a client who was very active with us for over 10 years. The past 2 years she has deteriorated tremendously and is now actually living in a nursing home. She is mentally with it, but physically broken down. Since moving into the nursing home, she has actually never left the home once, except to go to the hospital for admission…
When she was active, every Passover she used to be one of 10 seniors that would go to a Seder that is hosted by a temple uptown. This year, I brought up the idea of her going and offered her son to escort her as well for her comfort. The temple usually doesn’t allow wheel chairs (or escorts) but made the exception considering her story. Surprisingly, she agreed to go!
Unfortunately, the transportation that the temple provides is not able to transport wheelchairs so I need to hire a private ambulette. The cost for this service is $325 round trip. Her family can contribute towards the cost but cannot cover it all. Before I make the arrangements, I need to secure the remaining dollars. Is this something that the Good People Fund would like to be involved with? And would a pretty please help?
No, Dalia…pretty please won’t help, but the Good People Fund will gladly cover the remaining cost.
And…to make this an even more meaningful tzedakah investment the source of the funds to cover this cost? In yesterday’s mail was one of those letters that puts a smile on your face. It was from a person we have helped with Pesach needs. The letter thanked us for the supermarket gift cards we sent but explained that this year, despite losing their home, the family is in better shape and will not need the cards. Could we pass them along to someone else for whom they will make a better holiday? Accompanying the letter and the cards was a check for $100 which was to be used "so that someone else on your list may enjoy the forthcoming holiday with a little less to worry about."
Everything happens for a reason, no?
