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SCARSDALE, N.Y. – More than 700 people came to the Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale on Sunday for a Day of Chesed to remember the tragic events of the Sept. 11 attacks through volunteer work.
The annual event commemorates the holiday by bringing the community together for a day of good deeds and charitable service. This year’s “day of kindness” was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
During the day, there was a formal program to honor those who lost their lives in the attack. County Executive Rob Astorino addressed the audience and the Solomon Schechter Westchester eighth-grade all-girl a capella group sang “Hatikvah,” the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Israeli National anthem.
There was a blood drive for the White Plains Hospital, which netted more than 40 pints of blood. Eighteen residents registered with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and food was packaged to be delivered to the needy through the Bronx Jewish Community Council.
Children made cards and collected DVDs for troops overseas and there was a clothing drive that will benefit the Kid’s Kloset of Westchester Jewish Community Service. Toys were also collected that will be distributed to hospitalized children.
More than 140 teenagers participated in the “Teen Tribute,” making blankets for hospitalized children, lunches for HOPE Community Services and decorating 200 cupcakes for local police and fire agencies.
“In addition to all the wonderful good deeds that took place, the Day of Chesed also served as a meaningful way for all members of the community to work together,” Ophira Cukierman, co-president of the JCC said in a statement. “It was heart-warming to see.”
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