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Summer 2020 Social Action Programs

Summer 2020 Social Action Programs

Many of our congregants have asked how they can continue to help others who are struggling as we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.  

Our Social Action committee has put together a variety of collection drives and hands-on activities (that can be done remotely) for congregants of all ages to participate in this summer to support those in need. 

CLOTHING COLLECTION DRIVE FOR OUR CLOSET | Monday, June 15, 11am - 1pm

Drop off location: Designated Containers Outside Beth Or Main Entrance Doors

Project Chairs: Rachel Steinberg, levinerb@yahoo.com and Jody Pascal, jodyp2005@verizon.net

Your clothing donations will be given to families in need through Our Closet.

What is needed?

  • casual clothing, shoes and accessories (belts, hats, gloves, bags, scarves) for men of all sizes, for women in larger sizes and for children of all ages.
  • Clothing MUST be clean (new or gently used).
  • They are NOT in need of business suits, ties, formalwear, or hangers.
  • Please NO housewares, books, or decorative items.
For further information or to help with delivery (in Delaware County), please contact Rachel and Jody. 

CLOTHING COLLECTION DRIVES FOR MITZVAH CIRCLE | Dates & Needs Vary - see below for details

Drop off location: Mitzvah Circle (outside of the warehouse)
2562 Boulevard of the Generals, Norristown - across from the Wawa on Trooper Road

What is needed & when?

  • Friday, June 12, 9am - Noon - gently used and new infant and children's summer clothing
  • Thursday, June 18, 9am - Noon - gently used and new baby, children and teen books
  • Friday, June 26 - 9am - Noon - gently used and new adult summer clothing
  • Thursday, July 2, 9am - Noon - gently used and new shoes

Questions? Contact rachel@mitzvahcircle.org 

FOOD COLLECTION DRIVE | Monday, June 22, 10am - 2pm AND Friday, July 31, 12pm - 5pm

Drop off location: Designated Containers Outside Beth Or Main Entrance Front Doors

Project Chair: Carole Chasen, carole.chasen@yahoo.com

What is needed?

  • Non-perishable canned, boxed and packaged food 
  • Food donations will be delivered to Inter-faith Housing Alliance, Manna on Main Street, and Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard. 

For further information or to help with these local deliveries, please contact Carole. 

SLEEP OUT AMERICA | Friday, June 26 | Must Pre-register (see below)

Project Chair: Margie Chachkin, chachkin@aol.com

  • To help Covenant House, a shelter for homeless youth, join the Beth Or Team for the Covenant House Sleep Out! 
  • Sleep out in your own space: your backyard, your deck, your floor, or anywhere you can safely rough it for the night. Parents and roommates can share the experience in this virtual event where participants can join in a video chat with staff and youth. 
  • Ask friends and family to pledge their support and be part of a movement to come together for one night, and let Covenant's vulnerable youth who have experienced abuse and homelessness know they are loved and supported.
  • Registration is $25.  Join the Beth Or Team by clicking here: https://www.sleepoutamerica.org/participant/BethOr

CORNER OF THE LAND GARDEN | On-going - All Summer

Project Chair: Bruce Dorsey, brucedorsey11@gmail.com

  • Please stop by the Beth Or Corner of the Land garden any day of the week to weed. 
  • To coordinate a time to pick vegetables, please contact Bruce. 

All vegetables are delivered weekly to Inter-faith Housing Alliance in Ambler for families living in transition at Hope Gardens. 

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES | At Beth Or - Friday, July 31, 12pm - 5pm | On-going - All Summer at other locations

Project Chair: Stuart Briefer, smbriefer@gmail.com

For further information or with any questions about blood drives during COVID-19, please contact Stu.

SEWING MASKS | On-going - All Summer

Project Chairs: Linda Block-Love, lblocklove@gmail.com and Faye Benshetler, febx@comcast.net

  • Many masks are needed for Covenant House as well as other organizations serving the underprivileged.
  • Please contact Faye at email above if you wish to donate material for the masks, or wish to use some of the donated materials.
  • Please contact Linda by email above or call 215-872-8478 if you need help making your masks.  
  • Tips For Making Masks -- there are many mask styles and a variety of ways to make them, some for novice sewers and some for more experienced sewers.  Watch one of these videos for help if you need some help before you get started:
  • Dropping off Masks: Place in a zip lock bag and label it with (1) # of masks; (2) # adult size/ # child size; (3) elastic or ties. Please contact Linda or Faye for drop off location or mailing address. 

SEWING SURGICAL CAPS | On-going - All Summer

Project Chair: Bonnie Goldsmith, bfgolds@gmail.com

  • Bonnie is collecting handmade surgical caps that are desperately needed at local hospitals including Abington Hospital. 
  • Patterns may be found online.  Please contact Bonnie if you wish to participate in this project or if you need materials. 
  • All drop offs may be arranged with Bonnie who will handle the delivery to the hospitals. 

HONOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS WITH LUNCH DELIVERY| Ongoing - As Needed

Project Chairs: Rachel Steinberg, levinerb@yahoo.com and Jody Pascal, jodyp2005@verizon.net

  • We will identify businesses and operations with essential workers, for example, hospitals, postal offices, and police stations. 
  • Lunches will be ordered from a food service vendor/restaurant and will be delivered by our volunteer congregants or the restaurant's delivery service. 
  • To help fund this project, donations can be made to Meals that Matter: https://www.bethor.org/form/program-and-community-funds.html.

For further information or to help with deliveries, please contact Rachel and Jody.

DESIGN CARDS WITH FRIENDLY MESSAGES FOR HOSPITAL PATIENTS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS | On-going - All Summer

Project Chairs: Beth Johl (bandbjohl@comast.net), Ellen Werther (ekwfarm@comcast.net) and Faye Benshetler (febx@comcast.net) 

  • Design cards of cheer and encouragement for those currently in the hospital or residing in a nursing home/rehabilitation center. 
  • For design ideas (and there are many!) please contact Beth or Ellen. 

For mailing details, please contact Faye.  

PICK UP/DROP OFF GROCERIES for JFCS | Every other Wednesday throughout the summer, starting June 17
 
  • Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia is seeking volunteer grocery delivery drivers to assist us in delivering groceries to their food insecure clients who are our  homebound, many of whom are elderly, immunocompromised, and Holocaust survivors. All deliveries are no-contact and follow safe social distancing practices.
  • Drivers will pick up groceries at the Brodksy Enrichment Center at 345 Montgomery Ave in Bala Cynwyd, and drop them off throughout the Philadelphia area. The average delivery shift is 2-4 drop-offs and takes 1 ½ -2 ½ hours depending on location. This is a great activity for families with kids looking to give back over the summer!

Sign up here: https://jfcsphilly.volunteerhub.com/lp/groceries/

HIAS PA VOLUNTEER WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Monday, June 15, 5:30pm - Job Search Mentor Training

Monday, July 6, 5:30pm - New Volunteer Info Session

Monday, July 20, 5:30pm - Intercultural Communication Workshop

Monday, August 3, 5:30pm - New Volunteer Info Session

Monday, August 17, 5:30pm - Philly Neighbor Training

Register here: https://hiaspa.org/get-involved/volunteer/

BECOME A TEEN AMBASSADOR FOR MITZVAH CIRCLE THIS SUMMER | Ongoing - All Summer 

Interested in becoming a Mitzvah Circle Teen Ambassador? See details about their Summer Training on the Mitzvah Circle website.

PEN PAL WITH AN ABRAMSON RESIDENT | On-going - All Summer

Send a friendly message of encouragement to a resident of the Abramson Center by emailing PenPal@abramsoncenter.org. They receive emails and distribute them to the residents. 

Thu, April 25 2024 17 Nisan 5784