BAGS GALORE:
NST UPSTANDERS SUPPORT WOMEN’S SHELTER ARRIVALS
NST TECHNICAL TEACHING PROGRAM
A Success Continues
BY KAREN PERRY
In late 2020, responding to
the Covid-19 Pandemic, the
Technical Teaching Program
was initiated. The Special Projects
Committee, led by Bob Ricken,
anticipated a bitter winter would
be particularly challenging for our
residents.
In order to successfully face such a
winter, many would need to strengthen
their technical skills. Whether
they wanted to order merchandise or
groceries online these technical skills
would ensure their shelves would be
filled. Knowledge of Zoom would
allow them to have virtual gatherings
with family and friends. Therefore, the
program was developed in November
of last year and continues currently
with great popularity.
In a lighter vein, the program's
initial title was "Be as Smart as Your
Grandchildren." Most residents knew
the feeling of throwing up their hands
when unable to solve a phone or
computer issue. The frustration grew
when the only option was calling one
of their grandchildren. Participation
in the "Technical Teaching Program"
would build needed confidence and
self-reliance.
The program has been wildly
successful and we expect that to continue.
Currently, there is a waiting
list of people anxious to learn and
our volunteer instructors have been
overwhelmed.
Our teachers are unpaid, yet have
had some unique rewards. They have
helped many to make this difficult
time a little easier. Some feedback: “I
was able to buy new clothes without
stepping into a store”; “I continued
my exercise routine as my classes
were offered on line”; “my iPad was
gathering dust and now it gets used
every day”; and “I was able to attend
family holidays via Zoom that I could
not attend in person.”
Have the appropriate skills and
some extra time? Consider becoming
a volunteer instructor. Missed out not
joining our program already? It is not
too late. For both of these interests,
contact Karen Perry at (718) 225-0107
or by email at perrykdale@aol.com.
BY JUDITH SCHWAGER
Working with Commonpoint
Queens to support a local
Women’s Shelter, our “Bag
Ladies” gathered in April to fill bags with
personal hygiene products to be given to
each new Shelter arrival. “These women
are in desperate need of resources like
toiletries,” noted Isaac Adlerstein, Commonpoint
Queens Director of Volunteer
Services.
Faye Nadel, NST’s Chair of the
Shelter Drive, first became aware of
Commonpoint when she volunteered
at a local synagogue to help fill personal
hygiene bags for one of its Women’s
Shelters. She thought it would be a good
project for Upstanders and led the way to
its development at North Shore Towers.
While busily collecting the donations,
we realized how the articles we take for
granted--a toothbrush, toothpaste, a
comb, soap, shampoo--become a lifeline
for these women. “To arrive at a Shelter
with nothing and receive toiletries,” Mr.
Adlerstein said, “is more than practical.
It is a reminder of a person’s humanity.”
April 15 was our D-Day. Donations were
collected by volunteers stationed in the
lobby of each building and we were overwhelmed
with the generosity of our North
Shore Towers family. Several donors thanked
us for sponsoring this drive. As one contributor
said, “It’s just the right thing to do. If I were in
that position I would like someone to do this
for me.” Another donor added nail polish to her
donation bag “so it would
make a woman feel a little
special.”
Faye wanted to
acknowledge the support
of NST residents and the
behind-the-scenes work
done by the Upstanders
that made the drive happen.
“I must thank all the
people at NST for their
outpouring of donations
to make this day such
a success,” said Faye.
“Special thanks to the
women mail carriers of
Buildings One and Two,
Sylvia and Julia, for their
generous gifts,” she said. “I
also want to thank Merle
Levy, Carol Myerson and
Annalies Karp for filling
their trunks with donated
bags and delivering them
to Commonpoint Queens,
Simone Adler for designing
our flyers and Judy
Schwager for all her hard
work in publicizing this
drive.”
The afternoon ended
with four cars filled to
capacity with items crammed into the trunks and
front and back seats, and the treasure trove was
delivered to women in need. When Commonpoint
received and weighed the items, NST’s donations
totaled (drum roll, please) almost 2,000 pounds!
Next Up for the Upstanders
Clothing Drive: Thursday, May 20
You can help young adults get their first job!
Working again with Commonpoint Queens, the
Upstanders are organizing a clothing drive for
young people who are just starting their business
careers. Items needed are new or gently used business
attire for men and women (suits, jackets,
trousers, shirts, blouses).
For more information, contact Faye Nadel at
718-279-5979 or email her at faygela@aol.com.
Coming this summer…
The first two food drives were so successful,
the Upstanders are looking to do another in July
and, we hope, hit a new food donation record.
And in August, a drive is in the works to collect
school supplies for underserved children before
school starts. Stay tuned for details.
Come join us Onward and Upward! Contact:
Merle Levy: 347-235-4413 - merlelevy22@
gmail.com
Carol Meyerson: 516-313-0016 - cmeyer931@
aol.com
Priscilla Smith: 516-728-6176 - Priscilla.
cg.smith@gmail.com
Upstanders “Bag Ladies” fill individual bags of
toiletries to distribute to new Shelter arrivals.
(l to r): Judy Schwager, Merle Levy, Barbara
Margolis, Dottie Wein, Carol Myerson, Harriet
Rosengarten, Robin Savitt and Souzin Thau.
Faye Nadel, NST Chair of
the Women’s Shelter Drive
D-Day for Donations:
Dressed in red to attract
attention (l to r): June
Stelbaum, Chickie Kaufman
and Fran Gubernick
collected a wagonload of
personal hygiene packages
for each new Women’s
Shelter arrival.
May 2021 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 3
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