Tuesday, December 26, 2006
This program also helps instill the spirit of volunteerism in a lot of people, participants say.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bert Ehrenberg was one of about 25 members of Mahoning Lodge 339 of B'nai B'rith who spent Christmas day staffing the information desks and gift shops at local hospitals so Christian volunteers could have the day off.
"I know how important Christmas is. ... I come from a mixed family. It's important for people to be able to spend Christmas with their families," said Ehrenberg, of Boardman. He worked the 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. shift at the Forum Health Northside Medical Center gift shop along with Solomon Koysman, also of Boardman.
Across the hospital's lobby was Denise Altman, manning the information desk. Altman and her husband, Neil, are this year's first-time coordinators of Operation Snowflake.
Mrs. Altman said Operation snowflake was started in 1972 by Harold Davis and others as a B'nai B'rith project, not only to make it possible for Christian volunteers to spend Christmas with their families but to keep gift shops and information desks staffed.
People are in the hospital on Christmas Day, and their families need directions and help, Ehrenberg said.
Volunteers also staffed the information desk and gift shop at St. Elizabeth Health Center this year.
About the organization
B'nai B'rith is an international Jewish organization committed to social justice, education and service to the community. Gary Weiss of Liberty is president of Lodge 339 here.
While this is the Altmans' first time as coordinators of the project, volunteering for Operation Snowflake was a family tradition for many years for Neil and his son, Max, before Max went away to college.
"For Max and myself, it was quality time for a father and son to get together and a great way to help our Christian brothers and sisters celebrate their holiday," Neil said.
This great program also helps instill the spirit of volunteerism in a lot of people, he said.
The program begins each year when fliers are sent out to the Jewish community seeking volunteers for Operation Snowflake.
"My favorite thing is to help people, and this is a good way to do that. Everyone is in a good mood on Christmas Day. I'm having a ball. It feels good to be here," Mrs. Altman said.
"There are people who volunteer year after year. It's a very rewarding experience," she said.
alcorn@vindy.com