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Courtney Cohen holds a photo of her grandmothers, Rose Lewin (left) and Babs Cohen.
Photo courtesy Lianne Cohen Photography
Rose’s Angels building on legacy of giving
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February has always been a special month for Courtney Cohen.
Besides being the month in which Valentine’s Day falls, it was also the month in which her late grandmother Rose Lewin was born.
Lewin had a profound affect on Cohen, particularly her penchant for giving. A Holocaust survivor, Grandma Rose was truly an angel—a guiding light for how to live one’s life and the inspiration for Rose’s Angels, a Richmond-based charity that aims to brighten the lives of those most vulnerable in our community.
Now in its seventh year, an annual event was held Feb. 16 under the umbrella of the Kehila Society of Richmond. The 2020 fundraiser, at the Richmond Jewish Day School, drew the largest turnout of volunteers (80 family members, friends and community members) in its history. Starting at 9 a.m., participants began assembling more than 1,000 care packages to 24 not-for-profit partner agencies for distribution.
The agencies include Richmond Family Place, Chimo Community Services, Jewish Family Services, Richmond Food Bank, Richmond Centre for Disability, The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society, Raincity Housing, Richmond Multicultural Community Services and Gilmore Park Church.
Cohen remembers fondly that whenever she’d bring a friend—new or old—to visit her grandmother, Rose would immediately offer them something to eat.
“This was a lightbulb moment for me to incorporate non-perishable food items into our care packages,” said Cohen, who has partnered with her good friend Lynne Fader on the initiative since its creation in 2013. To date, more than 5,000 care packages have been distributed around Richmond.
Cohen said they wanted to ensure this year’s clients received items they really needed in their care packages. Items ranged from toiletries to books to non-perishable foods. In memory of Cohen’s other grandmother, the Beauty for Babs component of the event donates feminine hygiene and makeup products to those in need.
“We tailored the items to meet the needs of those receiving the care packages,” Cohen explained.
She said the event wouldn’t be possible without the many donors and volunteers.
“People want to volunteer in their community and sometimes they don’t have the resources or connections that allow them to carry out their desire to give back,” she said. “Rose’s Angels has grown into a strong pillar event in our community, and it’s wonderful to see volunteers of all ages coming together to make care packages for those who they will never meet. It’s inspirational.”
To learn more about Rose’s Angels or to make a donation, call 604-241-9270, email rosesangelsevent@gmail.com or log onto www.kehilasociety.org/
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