MONTCLAIR, N.J— Family Promise Essex is often bowled over by the generosity of friends and volunteers, but what’s really amazing are the acts of children.
Take Simon and Noah Glass, two brothers who turned 5 and 7 years old respectively in December. This past year, instead of receiving birthday presents, they asked their friends to donate to FPE.
Of course, FPE didn’t know this until we got an online gift honoring them on their special day. Then we received another gift, and then another, sometimes several in one day. This selfless gesture was starting to add up!
When we asked their mom Kerry what led the boys to ask for donations to FPE in lieu of gifts, she explained that they had volunteered when FPE families were staying at their temple. The boys had a great time playing with the kids there. Noah, the eldest, was particularly sobered by the thought that a boy just like him was living in a multi-purpose room with sheets as bedroom dividers.
It just didn’t seem right
Wanting to make a difference, it wasn’t hard for them to forgo their birthday presents. In fact, Kerry says she only heard one complaint in a moment of weakness.
Homelessness shouldn’t seem right to anyone, and we’re grateful for Noah and Simon’s sensitivity and desire to improve the world for others. It takes all of us working together to make a change and the Glass boys are right in the mix!
