Rabbi Kopel Silberberg helping with donations {Courtesy}
By Agrippina Fadel
Chabad Jewish Center of Tamarac is collecting supplies and donations for residents of the West Coast of Florida who were affected by Hurricane Ian.
Donations will be collected on Sunday, October 2, from 2 to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Chabad, located at 8100 N University Drive.
Rabbi Kopel Silberberg said Chabad started collecting items for residents affected by the storm earlier this week and has already sent the first truck full of supplies to the West Coast.
“This is a community grassroots effort. People are coming together: one person has a truck, another has supplies, someone else has generators,” he said. “Judaism says we are all one big family, and when a part of the family is in pain, we are all in pain.”
Rabbi Silberberg added that Chabad is collecting generators, satellite phones, flashlights, portable power supplies, chainsaws, duct tape, grills and charcoal, fuel jugs and gas, water, non-perishable food, and can openers.
The residents of the cities crashed by Hurricane Ian also need baby items, including diapers, formula, and food; personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap; feminine hygiene products, First Aid Kits, tents and tarps, shovels, medical supplies, air mattresses, sheets, and pillows.
After Sunday, all collected items will be delivered to the Fort Myers area.
“We got very lucky and didn’t get affected by the storm, but our neighbors to the west got hit very badly,” said Rabbi Silberberg, adding that everyone in the community is looking for ways to help.
Donated items {Courtesy of Rabbi Kopel Silberberg}
“We are all just doing our little bit to be able to ease some pain and be there for our fellow human beings and to make their life a little easier in these trying times,” he said.
Rabbi Silberberg added that those wishing to donate funds instead of supplies could do so via Hurricane Ian Central Relief Fund, Chabad of Venice and North Port, Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, and Chabad of Naples.
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