The Palm Beach Post
November 29, 2019
Approximately 125 volunteers took part in Fellowship Friday, a day of community service organized by the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews which aims to volunteer for community service projects.
Instead of spending the day after Thanksgiving shopping or chilling, Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews volunteers gave their time to help in the community.
About 125 volunteers took part in Fellowship Friday, a day of community service organized by the fellowship as an alternative Black Friday event.
The volunteers spent their time at pre-selected locations — Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Wellington, The Lord’s Place Halle Place, Melvin J. & Claire Levine Residential Home, and Adopt-a-Family Program Reach in West Palm Beach.
Volunteers also participated in a beach cleanup at 1576 S. Ocean Blvd.
The event began with a light breakfast at Temple Emanu-El, 190 N. County Road. Rabbi Michael Resnick said it was a very profound thing what the fellowship does in a world that has become increasingly polarized.
“This is a remarkable collection, right here, of people of different denominations and political affiliations who come together in fellowship, despite all the differences in our lives,” Resnick said.
John Randolph, town attorney and fellowship chairman, said he counts the organization among his many blessings.
“I think we’re a lot closer together as a result of the kinds of meetings that we’re having,” Randolph said. “I’m very thankful for all of you here at the fellowship.”
Town Council member and fellowship vice chairwoman Maggie Zeidman, who volunteered at the beach cleanup, said seeing children show up to volunteer was extremely inspiring.
“Our main focus is to involve the young people because we think that’s how you change attitudes,” Zeidman said. “If you can’t build that into the foundation of the next generation, then what are we doing?”
She also said that this year was the first time that the fellowship had the participation of a junior committee. “We’re going to have more of that in future events,” Zeidman said.
David Rogers, volunteer coordinator for The Lord’s Place, said Halle Place was all about second chances and beyond.
“For people who have been incarcerated, it usually counts as a strike against them to either get a job or find a place to live,” Rogers said. “At Halle Place, we have 12 spots for women who have been released from the system who can come live here for a period of 12 to 18 months. This helps them rebuild their life.”
Ann-Britt Angle of Palm Beach brought her three children — Sophia, 13; Julian, 9; and Vivienne, 10 — to Halle Place to beautify the grounds by building a flower bed and a butterfly garden.
Parker Pressly, 12, a member of the junior committee for Fellowship Friday, also volunteered at Halle Place.
“Our school (Rosarian Academy) does a lot of things with The Lord’s Place,” Pressly said. “So I knew about Halle Place and wanted to help.”
The fellowship also collected new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food. The toys will be donated to the Town of Palm Beach United Way annual toy drive, and the food items will go to Adopt-a-Family.
