Pizza with a Purpose: Tuesday, Oct. 29
It’s hard to imagine spending a holiday alone, but sadly, many adults right here in Tidewater do just that. As the holidays approach, Jewish Family Service staff and volunteers reach out to these individuals with helping hearts, as part of the JFS “Helping Hearts” project.
Now in its eighth year, the Helping Hearts project provides indigent adults with bags stuffed with toiletries, knitted winter wear, socks and other necessities. Dorothy Salomonsky, director of JFS’ Personal Affairs Management program, says, “Many of the recipients live off of $30 per month, and have little or no family or friends to see during the holiday months. The bags serve as a way to let these people know they are not alone and to spread a little cheer.”
This year the Helping Hearts project hopes to build upon its success of years past and collect enough toiletries, grooming items, snacks, socks, winter hats, gloves, novelties and even gift cards for incapacitated adults ages 18–104, who have no family or friends to remember them at holiday time. A number of these individuals are part of the JFS PAM program for incapacitated adults.
To raise funds for this project, JFS is hosting a “Pizza with a Purpose” fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen, at both the Virginia Beach and Norfolk restaurants on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The restaurant will donate 20% of the proceeds to JFS from coupons presented.
JFS is also entered in a contest to win $1,000 for Helping Hearts. Classic Air’s One Hour Cares program awards $1,000 to a worthy cause each month, and votes are cast only on the One Hour Cares Facebook page. The more “likes” a cause garners, the better the chances are to win the random drawing for the $1,000 award. Facebook users can vote at Classic Air’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning page. Voting runs through the month of October.