Exclusive: Interview with Hatzoloh of Rockland's Most Generous Donor

by M.C. Millman 

As you can imagine, getting through to Hatzoloh's most impressive donor wasn't easy. 

There was a schedule to accommodate and personnel to get through before reaching the top. Still, when Rockland Daily heard about this particular donor's most generous contribution, there was no way we were not bringing this story to our ever-eager readers who deserve to know. 

"I look forward to each day's mail in hopes of finding a few major donations, which is what keeps Hatzoloh going," Rabbi Yosef C. Golding, Hatzoloh of Rockland's Executive Director, shares with Rockland Daily. 

And yesterday seemed to have been Rabbi Golding's lucky day. As he opened the day's mail, there was one particular envelope that was heavier than the others. It was from a first-time donor who had sent in the majority of his wealth. There was a letter enclosed as well clarifying that the donation had come from one Avrumy G.

 "Today's mail," Rabbi Golding recounts, "with its envelope filled with $3.95 in small change, brought a bigger smile to my face than any $1,000 donation could have."

How did Avrumy, a mere seven-year-old, come to make such an impressive donation? 

"He was playing post office with his siblings," his mother recounts. "They were using the pre-addressed donation envelopes that come in the mail, and Avrumy asked me about them. I told him what organization each one was for, and when he found the Hatzoloh envelope, suddenly, for that one, he wanted to make a donation."

Why was it the Hatzoloh envelope attracted the seven-year-old the most? It seems Avrumy had first-hand experience with Hatzoloh when, last year,  he sliced his palm open on a shard of glass, and Hatzoloh came to the rescue. 

"They were so calm and so patient," Avrumy's mother shares. "He remembers that. There was also a boy who fell off his bike recently that Hatzoloh came to help, and Avrumy was there watching." 

According to his mother, Avrumy is always looking for things to do with his money. In this case, his choice was far from what the average seven-year-old might imagine doing with his carefully hoarded wealth. But it was worth it - every penny.