Chanukah is a most exciting yom tov as all of Klal Yisroel celebrate the miracle with all of the beautiful mitzvot and minhagim (customs). One of the precious minhagim is to give Chanukah gelt or toys to children. However, there are families in our own community, maybe on your block, in your kids’ class, who don’t share the same enthusiasm. Many families find themselves unable to buy gifts for their children, which is undeniably disheartening. Presents aren’t the point of Chanukah, but it makes a difference in a child’s life knowing that someone is thinking of him or her. The local families that we pass everyday need as much love and help as we can give them, and the community came together to help.
This past Motsei Shabbos, kids and adults joined together to volunteer at the toy drive, preparing toy packages for over 650 children!
“Every year we come to help out. We love coming here to pack the toy boxes, it’s fun & a mitzvah” commented Shany, one of the many children volunteers.
This year’s Chanukah Toy Drive was dedicated in the zechus of Mr. Milton Ostreicher, Menachem Avrohom ben Moshe Binyamin A’H by his children. Mr. Ostreicher personified klal work and caring for those who are less fortunate. This dedication is a most fitting tribute to his legacy and should be an Aliyah for his neshoma.
Moshe Brandsdorfer, the JCCRP’s executive director expressed, “The toy drive demonstrates the very essence of the Five Towns / Far Rockaway community. The toy drive committee, local stores, schools, shuls and dentist offices who graciously partnered with us to collect toys are the real heroes here. We did not have to turn any child away because the essence of our community is chessed and achdus!”
The JCCRP wishes to thank all the participating schools, shuls & businesses for collecting toys: BBY, BYAM, Congregation Beth Shalom, Dr. Denise Cohen, DRS, Frankel’s, Gourmet Glatt, Gural JCC, HAFTR, KolSave, Oppenheimer Orthodontics, Preminger Pediatric Dentistry, Seasons, Season’s Express, Shulamith, Total Family Care, Yeshiva Darchei Torah, YILC and YKLI.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of the toy drive committee: Naamah Aisenbaum, Sara Austein, Rahely Fruchter, Lara Klein, Daphna Mishaan, Fraidy Osina, Devorah Pelman, Rebecca Richman, Hudis Saltz, Tamar Samuels, Esther Satt, Tamar Scharf, Rocky Stern and Lily Weichholz. They ran around during their busy days to set up drop off locations, collect toys, pack boxes and organize sponsors. Their outstanding work led to yet another amazing toy drive!
At the toy drive pickup, *Miriam, a mother of four commented “This is so helpful, my kids are going to be so excited for these toys, we can’t thank you enough!”
For those who couldn't make it to the stores, please contribute online at www.jccrp.org 100% of donations goes toward the toy drive. For more information or to volunteer for future project, please email [email protected] or call (718) 327-7755 ext: 6113.
*name changed for privacy.
