Schools across Bergen County are finding all kinds of ways to raise money for Israel, and the TABC Parents Association (TAPA) is no exception. TAPA President Elana Winslow wanted to make sure that location would not be a factor, so she ruled out the types of fundraisers that might be more restricted to local residents and set out to come up with an idea that could include everybody.
“We have a very generous and talented parent body so I thought we could do a Goods and Services Marketplace,” she said. It turned out to be a unique and clever way to allow the school’s geographically diverse parent and student body to all contribute and benefit in a remarkably sensible, yet meaningful way.
Winslow created a Google form where parents and students could offer up a good or service, give it an approximate value, list their geographical location, and then sell it. 100% of the proceeds will go to a fund to be split among United Hatzalah of Israel, Magen David Adom and Friends of the IDF. The form has only been open since Sunday but the responses have been overwhelming.
“It started out with me reaching out to the TABC parent body, but then it spread to so many others throughout the community who were eager to help with this endeavor,” Winslow said. So now, the form is open to everyone in the community. “Friends of mine and others I have reached out to in the community have been very generous to donate a good or service.”
When Winslow first sent out the form, she gave some examples of what people could donate. “For instance, I listed things like cooking a Shabbos meal, donating a tutoring session, babysitting, personal training, or any other types of professional services, and I have really received the gamut of that.”
Sharon Rifkind, director of institutional advancement for Torah Academy of Bergen County said, “As a school community we are encouraging our students to engage in Torah, avodah and gemilut chasadim in zechut of our family in Israel. We are thrilled that our Parents Association is launching this project and are grateful that they are spearheading this initiative which reflects our yeshiva’s priorities of chesed and tzedaka.”
So far, parents have donated yoga sessions, tutoring in all subjects for all different ages, decluttering and personal organization sessions, special education consulting sessions, a customized facial, a nutrition consultation with a meal plan, a gift card for sporting goods, New Jersey Devils tickets, an appliance from someone who owns an appliance business, a swimming lesson … and yes, there are even some baked goods on the list, too, which Winslow thinks is great.
If you would like to donate a good or service to sell on the TAPA Goods and Services Marketplace, fill out the form by Monday night at 11:30 p.m. The form will close Monday, October 23 at 11:30 p.m. and Winslow will release a spreadsheet of everything that has been offered a few days later for anyone who wants to purchase any of the items.
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