About 1,000 “care packages” are now doing the rounds for the less fortunate in Richmond, thanks to the memory of a lady called Rose.
“She was a Holocaust survivor and was the most giving person I ever knew; I wanted to do something with her legacy in mind,” said the late Rose Lewin’s granddaughter, Courtney Cohen, who, along with fellow Richmondite Lynne Fader, set up “Rose’s Angels” four years ago.
On Sunday, at the Richmond Jewish Day School on No. 5 and Blundell roads, the pair were joined by around 60 volunteers who helped organize and bag 1,000 of the care packages, containing a new pair of gloves, toque, socks, non-perishable foods and hygiene care items.
On Tuesday, Cohen — who carries out the Rose’s Angels outreach as part of the non-profit Richmond-based Kehila Society, which offers outreach programs within the Richmond Jewish community for children, youth, adults and seniors — started distribution of the packages to the Jewish Food Bank, Chimo Outreach, Richmond Family Place and Turning Point Recovery, amongst others.
“It all starts in September and spend a lot of time looking for volunteers and donations,” said Cohen, who sits on many non-profit boards due to her grandmother’s inspiration.
Cohen said the number of individuals wanting to volunteer their time and “give back to those living in our community is positively overwhelming.
“Each care package is put together with love and care by community volunteers and is curated especially for the organization it is going to.”
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