Social Action/Chessed Committee
As you may know, a YI social action group was formed to help those in need in our community as well as surrounding communities. We had been planning a Yom Chesed to take place on May 17. Since that will not be possible, our goal shifted to the current Coronavirus situation. In these uncertain and unsettling times, we are reaching out to request support for several local institutions in need. Please consider contributing supplies to a food pantry, calling an isolated senior and/or donating urgently needed blood as detailed below:
1. Food and Supply Donations
· Madison Park Development Corporation in Roxbury is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for low and moderate income residents. This pantry serves many senior citizens.
· Evelyn House is a family shelter in Stoughton providing temporary housing for families with children of all ages.
These pantries need all items and especially the following: bottled water, canned vegetables, canned or boxed soups, canned fruit, canned or pouched tuna/chicken, bread, crackers, frozen vegetables*, frozen fruit*, cleaning/disinfecting products, toilet paper, and paper towels.
Please bring your items this Sunday, April 5 at either 10-11 am or 3-4 pm and place directly in Rachel Levine’s car at 51 Deborah Sampson St. or in Cheryl Harris’ car at 6 Fairway Lane.
*Note: perishable items need to be brought between 3-4 pm only.
2. Jack Satter House, Hebrew Senior Life
Jack Sutter House, an affordable senior housing community in Revere, is launching a Phone-A-Friend initiative; they are looking for volunteers who are willing to be matched with a senior for twice-weekly phone calls. The residents are all now quarantined in their apartments and social isolation can take a serious toll on physical and emotional health, especially for older adults. The calls can be brief (5–15 minutes is excellent!) and social in nature (as opposed to clinical “wellness checks”). This Phone-a-Friend initiative is geared toward volunteers of high school age and older. Please contact Marianna Mapes @ MariannaMapes@hsl.harvard.edu if you are interested and available.
3. American Red Cross has a severe shortage in their blood supply due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. Please be assured that the Red Cross has implemented additional precautionary measures to help ensure donor, staff and volunteer safety during this challenging time. The Dedham donation center is about 20 minutes away at 180 Rustcraft Road near Legacy Place. Please note: You must call ahead for an appointment; no walk-ins. Call 1 800 -RED CROSS or schedule an appointment online: https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/location/dedham-american-red-cross.html
We hope that you will consider one of these options, and we look forward to the time when we can come together as a community for a Yom Chesed. Watch for details in the Fall!
YI Social Action Committee: Hana Berman, Rachel Levine, Devorah Kosowsky, Emily Rapalino, Tami Kesselman, Rachel Klausner and Cheryl Harris
