Left to right: May Stefanov, tenant relations coordinator with Tikva Housing Society, and Courtney Cohen, co-founder of Rose\u2019s Angels. <\/i>(photo from Rose\u2019s Angels)<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/i>Eleven not-for-profits received donations from this year\u2019s Rose\u2019s Angels, including Mamas for Mamas, Richmond Food Bank Society, Jewish Family Services\u2019 Grocery Program (formerly known as the Jewish Food Bank), Tikva Housing Society and Pathways Clubhouse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Run under the umbrella of the Kehila Society of Richmond, Rose\u2019s Angels was created in 2012 by Courtney Cohen and Lynne Fader. It was founded in memory of Cohen\u2019s grandmothers, Rose Lewin and Babs Cohen, who were both very philanthropic and instilled in Cohen the importance of giving back to community.<\/p>\n Essential personal care items, non-perishable food items, children\u2019s arts and crafts materials, diapers and baby formula were among the donations received by Rose\u2019s Angels this year. For many of its partner agencies, diapers and non-perishable food were among the top priority items.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a mom myself, I can\u2019t imagine what it must feel like to not have the access or means to provide essential items for your child,\u201d said Cohen, stressing the impacts of the rising cost of living and the strain it\u2019s putting on families and single parents.<\/p>\n \u201cSupporting organizations that do such meaningful outreach for families in need is something I\u2019m incredibly proud of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Rose\u2019s Angels\u2019 success depends on the support of donors and volunteers. Letters were sent out to partner agencies, family, friends and community members in January, with donations collected in February.\u00a0 <\/span>Richmond Jewish Day School hosted a hygiene collection drive, and grocery gift cards were purchased last month. This month, all the donations were packaged and delivered by volunteers to the recipient agencies.<\/p>\n \u201cMy parents and grandparents \u2026 showed me that giving back isn\u2019t just a kind gesture \u2013 it\u2019s a responsibility we have to one another as part of a community,\u201d said Cohen.<\/p>\n