‘Neighbors helping neighbors’
Brooklynites raise funds to support struggling locals
BY JESSICA PARKS
Southern Brooklyn do-gooders
gifted fi nancial support to 15 neighbors
in need this holiday season, as
the coronavirus pandemic left them
struggling to make ends meet.
“I think, more than anything, it
represents hope to some of these families,
that others are thinking about
them, that they are not alone and that
their community supports them,”
said Karen Tadross, president of Bay
Ridge Cares, who spearheaded the
initiative.
The neighborhood philanthropic
group launched their “Holiday
Wishes Fundraiser” on Dec. 6 in
place of their annual pajama and
book fundraiser for local hospitals,
which saw some logistical issues
from the ongoing pandemic.
“Because of COVID, none of the
hospitals were accepting deliveries
of any kinds of goods,” Tadross said.
“So we decided what we would do is
seek out some of our local families
who were having a hard time.”
Within fi ve hours of posting their
fundraiser to Facebook, Bay Ridge
Cares reached their initial goal of
$1,000, and within two days exceeded
COURIER L 12 IFE, JANUARY 1-7, 2021
their increased goal of $2,000 —
amounting to a grand total of $4,370
after the organization matched contributions
up to $2,000.
“In two days, we had gone from $0
to $2,000,” Tadross said. “And when
the community kept contributing, we
fi gured let’s pull some more money
from our reserves.”
The funds were divided into 15
separate grants that were given to
families and individuals in southern
Brooklyn who used the money to feed
and house their families through
the holiday season, pay their bills
or to have some presents under the
tree for their children on Christmas
morning.
“We delivered to one family who
said it made the difference between
their lights being shut off and not,”
Tadross said. “People did all kinds of
different things with what we were
able to provide to them.”
The recipients — ranging from a
single man experiencing homelessness
to a family of 12 — were selected
because they had previously received
support from Bay Ridge Cares
or were recommended for assistance
by elected offi cials and other local organizations.
“Not everybody is always on our
radar,” Tadross said. “We reached
out to each of our elected offi cials
and partner organizations and
asked them to nominate some families
they have worked with.’
The outpouring of support from
their community did not surprise
the members of Bay Ridge Cares,
who said they can always count on
their neighborhood to turn out to
help their neighbors — a characteristic
they say makes Bay Ridge a special
place.
“It really is neighbors helping
neighbors,” Tadross said. “That is
the essence of Bay Ridge Cares.”
ACTS OF KINDNESS: Bay Ridge Cares donated grants to 15 southern Brooklyn families with
the help of the community. Bay Ridge Cares