AJR & Project ImpACT, joined in care

The AJR and Project ImpACT joined forces this week to send care packages to over 300 AJR members to help raise their spirits during lockdown.

 

The AJR came up with idea to collaborate with teen volunteering specialists Project ImpACT to benefit their members who are not online and therefore have not been able to join the 300-plus Zoom events held during the past year.

Carol Hart MBE, Head of Volunteer and Community Services for AJR said, “We often get messages from our members telling us how much they enjoy and value our online events, but we realise there are many who are not online and are missing out.

“I asked Project ImpACT if they could help and they had over 60 young volunteers sign up within minutes!” The two organisations held a joint online event which saw AJR member and Kindertransporter Vera Schaufeld talk to the teens about her life while they assembled the packages, which included hand-written cards.

Project ImpACT runs weekly volunteering initiatives for teens supporting a variety of charities. Chayli Fehler, Founder of Project ImpACT said, “We were delighted to help with this initiative. ImpACT teens are a huge credit to the community, volunteering behind the scenes every week for different charities and they are always eager to do more. Within a few days they had packed 300 care packages with personal notes. Our teens continue to display a pride in volunteering for the wider community and this invaluable project which bridged the generations is exactly the sort of meaningful engagement we love to support.”

Jane, a Project ImpACT parent said, “What an incredible session today! Joe and I sat on the edge of our seat listening to Vera’s story. It was so moving, frank and just awe inspiring. Joe enjoyed packing and the whole thing was a great success in every way. Thanks so much to Project ImpACT for continuing to think up creative ideas that only do good for the community.”

The packages have been very well-received. Laura Kaye said of her mother Eva Behar, “She is a very happy lady.” Leo Weiner had his care package hand-delivered by his step great-niece Hannah, and was very grateful to receive it.

Carol Hart said, “I have been inundated with phone calls this morning from members who are so appreciative of this small gesture and can’t thank AJR and Project ImpACT enough. It’s been a great initiative. These care packages are a small way to let those members know they are not alone and we are thinking of them”

Here are a selection of messages received from AJR members:

Please thank 14 year old project Impact volunteer, Sasha (sorry it’s difficult to read ‘her’ name but she likes dancing and sewing) for her friendly note. You can tell her that I also sew but my dancing days are more or less over! Jean

*****

Dear AJR and Ben,

What a lovely surprise parcel. Thank you very much indeed.

Eva

*****

I’ve just had the most delightful surprise; thank you so much for the package you sent me. Please do also thank Orli and Rafi for their drawings and letters. I shall enjoy the things you put in that envelope; what a lovely idea.

*****

Please thank Liam from me for the package, or let me know how I can get in touch.  THANK YOU. Kathy

*****

I would like to thank AJR and Lili for sending this pack, very much appreciated. What a lovely thought.

*****

This is to say thank you for the surprise package we received today from the AJR.  Please would you also pass on our thanks to Noah for his charming note and good wishes.