Finding a way to give back amid a pandemic

 

Anish Pallod, a seventh-grader at Springhouse Middle School, used his chess skills to raise money during COVID-19 for the Allentown Rescue Mission, an organization his family values. The Pallod family consistently made sandwiches for the men at the Allentown Rescue Mission through the Mission’s Make-and Serve meal program, but Anish wanted to do more.

Anish decided to start an online chess camp called “Chess During COVID-19”. The camp consisted of two sessions with six students per session and lasted for one week. He prepared a syllabus, schedule, and memberships for the students. And like so many other people in the world, he used Zoom to bring the students together. In his words, “I loved this idea as everyone wins!”

Through his virtual chess camp, Anish raised $600 for the men of the Allentown Rescue Mission. However, the Mission was not the only beneficiary of Anish’s endeavors. The camp offered safe, fun learning to kids during the coronavirus pandemic while fulfilling Anish as well. “It was a great learning experience. I respect the job of a teacher even more”, Anish reflects.

Anish plans to continue initiatives like this in the future. He says, “I find that teaching others and helping the community is a great way to give back.” Anish’s family did not want this story to be solely about Anish. They agreed to publish his story to shine a light on the need for volunteerism and in hope that it might inspire others to consider unique ways to give back to their communities.

The Allentown Rescue Mission would like to extend a big “Thank You” to Anish for being the kind of person who makes our community better. For more information on how to help the Allentown Rescue Mission combat ever-growing expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic, please visit www.allentownrescuemission.org.

 

The Allentown Rescue Mission, a 501c3, 123 bed non-profit homeless shelter has been providing shelter for homeless men since 1900. In addition to emergency shelter services (365 days a year), the Mission offers a residential life skills program, and transitional employment on the Clean Team that’s available for hire to the community. The Clean Team pays the men above PA state minimum – helping them save a nest egg to transition back into the community. The Mission provides shelter services for over 946 men per year, and serves over 42,000 meals a year to men in need.

To refer someone to the Mission for services or to learn ways you can help make a difference please visit www.allentownrescuemission.org

Information provided to TVL by:
Stefanie Appel
Community Relations

Allentown Rescue Mission
www.allentownrescuemission.org
 

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