Wild Storm Brings Out Gentle Hearts

The news quickly spread to the members of CTeen’s Teaneck, New Jersey chapter: Oceanside, New York was badly hurting from the fierce winds of Hurricane Sandy. Twelve volunteers sacrificed their day off from school and drove more than an hour to help the distressed residents of the Long Island town. As the van of teens approached the distraught neighborhood, the chaos and havoc they saw confirmed that what had been depicted in the news was no exaggeration.

The fallen trees, scattered wires, and debris did not stop the teens who helped restore normalcy to three flooded homes. Observing them through five intense hours of schlepping, the residents were so moved by the teens’ relief and continuously thanked them. “I thought it would take over a week just to bring the garbage to the front lawn, but within a short time it was all gone,” said a thankful resident. “Now we can focus on cleaning and rebuilding.”

Another grateful resident asked the teens to pose for a picture so he could show his family and friends the “teen angels” who thought about others during this difficult time.

Mrs. Shoshie Gurkov, shlucha to Oceanside, described the teens’ volunteering as a “huge sanctification of G-d’s name and a big help.”

“I think it’s a pretty cool thing that within the span of a day, CTeen was able to reach out and get teens to do true kindness for the community,” remarks teen David Berlin from Teaneck, New Jersey. “It’s inspiring to see how connected our community is and to know that when we’re under harsh circumstances, we can be depended on to help.”

“The power generated shopping malls were filled with teenagers, but these teens occupied themselves with something far greater,” said a very proud CTeen Rabbi, Rabbi Michoel Goldin. This is what CTeen is all about: bringing people together in times of need and teaching our youth to be leaders in the community.”

Many other CTeen chapters reported similar experiences.

Valley Chabad’s CTeen, of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, spent this past Sunday helping the community of Belle Harbor, NY, recover from the devastation they endured during the hurricane. “The damage was immense, and having the opportunity to help those suffering was so rewarding,” recalls Rabbi Yosef Orenstein, Valley’s CTeen advisor. “Thank you, volunteers!”

CTeen chapters further removed from Sandy’s path also wanted to help. CTeen chapters in Potomac, Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia collected staple food items and clothing for those who desperately needed them. The teens also wrote letters of hope and encouragement to the victims. As one teen, Eden Amar of Potomac, Maryland, put it, “It was really fun packing the boxes and writing letters to the people in need. It makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger and more meaningful, knowing that I helped people in need!”

The CTeen teens have proven that the wildest of storms can bring out the gentlest of hearts!