Pnina Souid
For elderly people who used to be physically fit and capable, being wheelchair-bound or losing their ability to climb stairs can also be a hit to their self-esteem. The Mitzvah Man Organization provides hesed in many areas, and supplying stairlifts for needy individuals is one important area. Providing stairlifts helps recipients’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
How It Works
The Mitzvah Man Organization receives donations of used stairlifts, refurbishes them to “new condition” and sends them to needy wheelchair-bound individuals or those who have other mobility problems that hinder their ability to climb the stairs in their homes or the stairs leading to their homes. A stairlift is a lifesaver, providing recipients with a feeling of independence that is so important to their self-esteem and their quality of life.
After the second-hand stairlifts have been refurbished, they are provided exclusively to those who cannot afford to buy one for themselves. A new stairlift can cost $7,000 or more. Two years ago, 87 used stairlifts were distributed and last year 83. This year, 43 used stairlifts have been delivered to needy, very grateful recipients.
A Story for the Books
Last week, an elderly gentleman called the Mitzvah Man, saying that he could no longer climb the stairs in his home and he could not afford to buy a stairlift. He asked if the Mitzvah Man Organization had any to stairlifts to donate. The Mitzvah Man explained that second hand stairlifts are available to individuals, and are adapted to suit each situation.
The Mitzvah Man had to think on his feet when the man added, “I am not Jewish. Do you help non-Jews?”
The Mitzvah Man knew that there was a stairlift that was not spoken for. No Jew had requested this item recently. He took a breath and responded, “Of course we help non-Jews. We do have one stairlift available, and it would be our pleasure to bring it over and install it.”
A few days later, the man called to thank the Mitzvah Man for making such a positive change in his life.
A month later, the Mitzvah man got calls from two people – one from a rabbi and the other from an elderly woman in the community – both asking for stairlifts. He was forced to tell them that he did not have any available but he I would put them on a waiting list.
Full Circle
A few weeks later, a friend of the non-Jewish man called the Mitzvah Man office. He was so impressed with the difference the stairlift had made in his friend’s life! He and another friend, neither of them Jewish, both had used stairlifts to donate to the Mitzvah Man Organization. Both men had lost family members who had needed stairlifts, and they were available for donation to the Mitzvah Man Organization. Might anyone need them?
These words were music to the Mitzvah Man’s ears. He thanked the man sincerely and said that he would be happy to have a volunteer pick them up.
Immediately after hanging up, the Mitzvah Man thanked Hashem. He had performed the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, and in return, Hashem coordinated the donation of two badly needed stairlifts. Only Hashem could have coordinated this. Clearly, Hashem approved of this way of bringing kiddush Hashem to the world.
The moral of the story is: Do a kiddush Hashem, whether it is for a non-Jew or a Jew. It will bring beracha for everyone!