A Day Volunteering: Steve’s Experience with the Phone-A-Friend Program

Steve Gartner is an active member and valued leader in our Jewish Federation community. He is a founding member of Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) and currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

He heard about Jewish Federation’s Phone-a-Friend program over email and signed up. After completing the training, he felt prepared to have conversations with a diverse group of people experiencing isolation during the COVID-19 crisis. He called as soon as he got the name and phone number of his assignment.

Steve remembers feeling a bit apprehensive while he was dialing the phone because he didn’t know how a stranger would react to his outreach. To his pleasant surprise, a woman answered the phone with a cheery voice. Steve introduced himself as a volunteer with Jewish Federation, and that he was calling to check-in. The woman could not have been any more receptive or welcoming to his call.

Steve chatted for a bit with her and her husband about their experience with COVID-19. They are keeping busy by watching TV, video chatting with their family who live across the country, and spending time with their cats and dog. They were grateful to Kleinlife for delivering meals to their door because the crisis has made it difficult for them to shop for food.

After he hung up, Steve was very pleased with the call, knowing that it was enjoyable and uplifting for all 3 participants. He was so excited about his experience, that he wrote about it on Facebook, encouraging others to participate. He got an outpouring of support and a number of his friends signed up to participate, many of whom had no previous involvement in Jewish Federation. 

Steve shared with Jewish Federation: “It is hard to find moments where you feel good right now, during this crisis. My chat with my Phone-a-Friend family seemed to have brightened their mood; I know it lifted mine.  I wholeheartedly recommend participating in this program.”

Are you able to make two phone calls a week to check in with a local older adult in our Jewish community? Fill out this form to be matched with an isolated community member and start making an impact today. 

Looking for another way to get involved? Volunteers are still needed to pack and deliver food to those experiencing food insecurity. Sign up for a shift today:

• Mitzvah Food Program: Drivers are needed from the Mitzvah Food Pantry sites in Center City, Main Line and Northeast Philadelphia. Deliveries generally take less than two hours. Once you sign up, someone will be in touch to schedule your exact pickup time. Sign up to volunteer here. 
• KleinLife: KleinLife Home Delivered Meals program is an essential need for 700 homebound seniors. In the KleinLife loading dock in Northeast Philadelphia you will be given gloves, meals packed in freezer bags, and a delivery route. After delivery, emptied freezer bags should be returned to Kleinlife. Your exact volunteer time will be arranged beforehand. To volunteer, contact John Eskate at jeskate@kleinlife.org.

For more Jewish Federation resources on COVID-19, click here. Donate to our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund here.