The Power of Two, Facebook, and NCSY

There are still many people in need on the East coast. By now it is well known that many people have lost their homes and many of their possessions due to the record breaking storm almost two weeks ago. Recovery efforts were set back by a freak winter storm that hit just a few days ago. There are many people and organizations in New York and New Jersey who have rolled up their sleeves to help. Some of the stories coming out of that disaster area truly inspiring. 

What can we here in Chicago do as individuals? Keep reading. 

Aliza Polstein and Shoshana Moscowitz, two young married  women from the Chicago Jewish community decided on their own to help. Not really having a plan or knowing where to start, Aliza posted a message on Facebook looking for donations in hopes that there would be a truck and that the project would come to fruition.

Someone suggested to Aliza  that she call Midwest NCSY to see if they could partner with the project. Midwest NCSY helped investigate and determine the actual needs of the flood victims and assisted in advertising of the event, and searching for and facilitating the volunteers.  A truck was rented and driven at the cost of a private donor.

The event  took place at Adas Yeshurun, a popular Shul in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood where volunteers gathered to help see the project through. Achiezer was contacted and they will be accepting the truck in New York.

People came in droves with brand new items they went out specifically to buy for this need. Items donated were baby items, household, clothing, shoes,  cleaning supplies, toys etc. People also donated many like new items including coats, suits, seforim, clothing, electronics, etc.

Between 2 and 3 hundred households participated. About $100,000 in goods and $4000 in monetary donations were collected.

All this in just 3.5 hours.

The truck is already on its way.