Call for volunteers
We often say that volunteers are the heart of our Home here at Daughters of Israel, a skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation facility in West Orange. It is not just homage that we are paying to our dedicated volunteer corps, to whom we are extremely grateful, but it’s undoubtedly 100 percent true. Volunteers help us keep our Home running.
Nearly 100 volunteers give of their time on a weekly or monthly basis to help run our Gift Shop and Thrift Shop, assist at the Work Activity Center, and transport rehab clients to and from therapy, among other activities. There are visitors who come to play a game of chess or cards with our residents, while others come to bring cheer with their pet pooch. Some come every few weeks to help out with a special program such as our Mother’s Day Tea, New Year’s Eve bash, or Purim Carnival.
From another perspective, many of our volunteers have expressed that they have greatly benefitted from their experiences, as the old adage goes of “the help helping the helper.” For some, volunteering has added a new dimension to their lives, creating a greater sense of purpose and imbuing them with more meaning. For others, they have gleaned from the wisdom and life experiences of those residents with whom they have cultivated close relationships.
As director of volunteers, I see the invaluable impact volunteering has on all parties involved. I highly encourage volunteerism at some point in everyone’s life, whether it’s in their community, or another endeavor that’s close to their heart. One particular area in which Daughters can really use the help of young volunteers focuses on our Gift Shop, whether raising money or collecting actual items to be sold. All proceeds from the Gift Shop directly go to benefit our residents. Bar and bat mitzva students wishing to take
on a hesed project (acts of kindness) or philanthropic-minded young teens looking for ways to better our community can be of tremendous help in this area.
If you are interested in participating in our Gift Shop fund-raising project, or volunteering in another capacity at Daughters, please contact me at egoldberg@daughtersofisrael.org or sign up at DaughtersofIsrael.org.
Eve Goldberg
Director of Volunteers, Special Events, and the Women’s League
Daughters of Israel
West Orange
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