The mission on Friday November 15th was to spread the message of chesed by helping as many hospital patients as possible. To accomplish the task, 80 girls from Bruriah High School for Girls visited Chesed 24/7 as their first stop on an inspiring Shabbaton. Thanks to these girls, the mission was a tremendous success and hundreds of snacks were prepared for Chesed 24/7’s Hospitality Rooms.
The girls worked from different stations, preparing food packages for cholim and families who stay in hospitals with loved ones. Some girls cut up fresh fruit such as pineapple and cantaloupe, while others chopped vegetables and whipped up salad dressing. Another group packaged hundreds of pieces of fresh cake to be enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the Chesed 24/7 Hospitality Rooms during a moment of respite. The fruit, vegetables, and cake are distributed to hospitals such as Columbia, Cornell, Lenox Hill, Good Samaritan, Hackensack, etc. and are available 24/7 in the Chesed Rooms so that anyone who is hungry can grab a healthy snack.
Many of the girls worked on “Shabbos Boxes,” unique care packages that patients can use while in the hospital on Shabbos to feel a “taste of home.” The girls prepared beautiful electric Shabbos candles that can be “lit” with a bracha to welcome in Shabbos in the hospital as well as custom-made table cloths, challah covers, Kiddush cups, grape juice, treats and more. Others worked on sending some warm well wishes, decorating letters for patients to enjoy when they open their boxes.
The volunteers were able to participate in a complete 24/7 experience; providing patients and their families with comfort by way of fresh food, Shabbos essentials and warm words. The team left inspired and eager to become involved with helping cholim, and the message to patients that they are not alone was clearly delivered.
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