[COMMUNICATED] I took a drive the other day down Rt. 9, made left on 14^th Street and continued to Hope Rd.What did I pass?

I drove down New Hampshire Avenue, passed a few new developments, and ended up at a newly built area in Jackson.

What did I pass?

Yes, I saw a lot of homes, buildings and schools. I saw warehouses, businesses and retail establishments. But what did I pass?

Throughout my entire tour through the Lakewood, Jackson and Toms River area, would my GPS have been tuned in to the realities of the community, it would have been constantly chirping “Tomchei Shabbos recipient ahead”. Yes, that’s the truth, that’s the stark reality, that’s a fact.  No matter where you drive, no matter where you go in our community, you are never more than 2 minutes away from a Tomchei Shabbos address.

It may not be marked as such, and may not even be imaginable in many cases, but wherever you go, you are just a stone’s throw away from  yet another family that relies on the assistance of Tomchei Shabbos to retain their financial solvency, and more importantly, to retain their dignity.

As you drive, and you pass neighbors, friends, relatives and recognizable community members’ addresses, you may not know it, but many of them are on the Tomchei Shabbos rosters, for one reason or another. Some may need the help temporarily, some may need it longer term, some may be dealing with a family crisis, some may just be down on their fortunes. No matter the situation, no matter the address, no matter what the outward appearance looks like, if they are in financial crisis, Tomchei Shabbos is there to assist them, discreetly, respectfully and generously.

Next time you make your way through town, and get a little agitated about the traffic, or other things that may not be going right, take a moment to reflect on the realities of what is around you, and realize that wherever you are, chances are that just a minute or two  in any direction, is a family  that invisibly proclaims above their front door, “We are a Tomchei Shabbos address”.  That should make the traffic  a little easier to bear.

It should also remind you how important Tomchei Shabbos is and how vital it is for you to support its tremendous work, and participate in the upcoming dinner that enables Tomchei Shabbos to raise its astronomical annual budget of $4 Million.

Tomchei Shabbos delivers salvation to thousands of families in  the Lakewood region , driven by the continuous support of the greater Lakewood community.