Chabad Offers Helping Hand to Toronto Homeless

Hundreds of people, families and children of all ages, braved the cold Canadian January weather to trek downtown for Chabad of Markham’s monthly “Tikkun Olam” event.

Tikkun Olam is the name for the one-year-old sensational family charity program that has literally taken the community by storm! Every month there is unique opportunity for parents and children to participate in an original kindness program organized by the members of Chabad of Markham.

Children, teens, moms and dads, bubbies and zaidies spent their afternoon distributing hundreds of blankets, scarves, gloves, hats and socks to the many homeless people in the Queen and Church area in downtown Toronto. A stand was set up at the corner to distribute these lifesaving amenities together with a coffee truck, courtesy of Tim Hortons.

As word spread that the Markham Community was downtown partnered with a coffee truck, people came out of the woodwork to receive the generous gift to help warm them up with a blanket and kind words.

“It was extremely heartwarming to see the happy faces collecting their basic winter needs,” said one volunteer.

Stella Saul, one of the coordinators of this event commented: “The window of opportunity to give back happens on a daily basis. Making a small difference in one’s day can you someone a lifetime of hope.”

Mattie Schurder, Chabad’s Youth and young family’s coordinator, was overwhelmed by the community’s response and the joy it brought to the families who were distributing the goods.

Ariella Gelb, 14 years old, had this to say: “I thought that the Tikkun Olam Event was a really great experience. It made me realize how lucky I am and I felt so good giving and helping others who really need it.

Wrapping it up was Rabbi Avrohom Plotkin, Director of Chabad of Markham, “More than the calf wants to suckle, the mother desires to feed.  It was a pleasure to watch the joy of our community sharing. I think the happiness on their faces was indescribable.  Anyone wanting to experience true happiness must come out to our Tikkun Olam Happenings. There is nothing like it.”