By Jeff Friedman
Editor’s Note: Livingston Philanthropies is a charitable organization that conducts a year ’round toiletries drive and a seasonal coat drive for the homeless. Here, Philanthropies founder and director, Jeff Friedman, recounts, in his own words, how Philanthropies donors banded together to help a homeless man.
• • •
It was time to write this week’s Livingston Philanthropies feature for the West Essex Tribune. I wanted to focus on volunteerism. But what story shall I tell? How can I most effectively share the diverse volunteering opportunities readily available to each of us? That virtually everyone can become involved in some way? Then, today happened.
Along with my wife, Karen, who is also a Livingston Philanthropies volunteer, I drove to the famous Tick Tock Diner in Clifton to receive a hand-off of suits and coats from our New York City friend. Yes, she collected from city friends to benefit Livingston Philanthropies. As we sat for a bagel at the diner with Pamela Smilow, our latest benefactor, a sense of excitement was in the air. Pam’s wide-eyed vibe wasn’t about suits and coats. She discovered, quite unexpectedly, her very own up-close and personal way in which to make a major difference.
“I was on my way to Weight Watchers and I spotted Anthony on the sidewalk with a dirty patch on his eye, leaning up against the wall,” Pam explained. “Anthony had a cup next to him with a sign that read, ‘Please help, was kicked in the subway while sleeping.’” She continued; “Anthony was sitting on the ground crying. In the meantime, as I was crouched down, Lauren Bookoff walked up after seeing us sitting on the sidewalk. She, too, was just walking by and wanted to offer immediate assistance.”
“Lauren ran to the local pharmacy and got him bandages, eye wash and tape for him to care for his eye (he had a broken eye socket from someone stomping on his head while asleep in the subway). I went to AT&T store, which was two blocks away and bought a free phone with a monthly plan. That’s because we decided right then and there, that we wanted to stay in touch with Anthony,” she continued. “Lauren and I looked at each other and together, we decided then and there we were going to stick around and help him. There was something about us in this together, even though we had just met minutes ...
