Cohort 6 Gives Back in Montreal

Just in time for the high holidays, the Montreal Diller Teen Fellows took on 3 volunteer opportunities in less than 2 weeks...

Cohort 6 Fellows at the YM-YWHA High Holiday Blood Drive - Sept. 8, 2014

On Monday September 8th 2014, a group of the fellows met up at the YM-YWHA to volunteer at the High Holiday Blood drive. We provided the blood donors with snacks and juice as they recovered. Every 80 seconds, someone in Québec needs blood, and even though we were too young to donate, Diller did our part to help out. In the end, the YM-YWHA's High Holiday Blood Drive brought in over 100 donations!

Call Me Maybe? Diller Fellows at FCJA's Super Sunday - Sept. 14, 2014

Then on Sunday September 14th, there was Super Sunday. Most of the Fellows showed up to raise money for Federation CJA's “Forward Together” 2014 Campaign. Super Sunday is their largest annual telethon, which brings in close to 600 volunteers every year, to help make calls to new and existing donors. Some even learned to do it in French, although some were hesitant. Funds raised at Super Sunday and during the rest of the Campaign go to supporting local, national, Israeli, and advocacy causes, as well as social services and continuity programming in the Montreal Jewish community. The Diller Teen Fellows are lucky to be one of the recipient programs so we couldn't be happier to give back!

Purple Ribbons and cards assembled by Diller Fellows - Sept. 18, 2014

Finally, on Thursday September 18th, a group of Fellows did some volunteer work for Auberge Shalom, assembling Purple Ribbons. Auberge Shalom pour femmes, a centre for women and children who are the victims of conjugal violence, has offered shelter and counselling services to the Jewish community for 25 years. On their 25th anniversary, Montreal synagogues and organizations are asked to tie a purple ribbon to their sukkah in honour of the women and children who have suffered conjugal violence, and individuals can show their support by wearing the purple ribbons on their lapels. We bonded, made ribbons, and discovered family we never knew we had.

In this week between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we reflect on the year that has passed, and we feel lucky to have been able to contribute our time and effort for our community.