Jewish Federation looks to donate money to individuals rather than nonprofits during disasters

Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties Executive Director Gloria Max said she does it to make a direct difference.

By Emily Blackwood
| 2:45 p.m. September 2, 2016

Gloria Max has boxes and boxes of thank you letters from people the federation has helped (Photo by Emily Blackwood).

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Gloria Max keeps every thank you note she's ever gotten. Written on purple paper, the insides of cards and carefully folded letters, each message speaks to the gratitude and appreciation people have for Max and the Jew Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties for helping them in their time of need.

And some people even pay it forward.

"After the disaster in the Phillipines, we donated $1,000 each to 10 different people," she said. "Two of them wrote me, and said they pooled their money together and used it to buy food for their entire village."

Stories like that are the exact reason why Max and the federation go the extra mile to find real individuals effected by disasters to donate to. She said it takes some detective work — she usually calls churches and synogogues to get the names — but it's worth it to feel like they've made a real difference in someone's life.

"If I send a check to an organization, our little bit of money gets lost in the shuffle," Max said. "And the people don't get it until much later. It takes time, and it would be easier just to send a check to a larger organization, but this way they get the money first, and they can buy the essientials. And you feel a connection one when you do it for a one family."

Currently, the federation is raising money for individuals impacted by the flooding in Lousiana. So far they've raised close to $8,500, $2,500 donated from the federation.

"No one is talking about it and these people really need help," she said. "One-hundred percent of the money we raise will go to them."

Anyone interested in donating can deliver or send a check to the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach, FL, 32174. Write "Louisana flood," in the memo section.

BOX: Thank you letters from disaster victims

"I wanted to express my amazement and thanks for all the help you gave my husband and I yesterday. Ian is suffering with leukemia, lymphoma and skin cancer. We had under $2 between us and an empty pantry. You saved our lives."