Kesher to Fundraise for Hurricane Milton Aid

by Shir Levenson, SSLI ‘26

Tomorrow, Schechter’s Kesher Club will be hosting a fundraiser to support Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. Organizations and first responders have been rushing to aid families and communities injured and affected.

The hurricane hit Florida just over two weeks ago causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. Weather reports included multiple tornadoes, high winds, and rain storms. Ms. Kassell, English Department chair and advisor of Kesher Club, explained, “Because Kesher Club responds to emergencies very often, we couldn't overlook the fact that we just recently witnessed terrible destruction in the South due to hurricanes Helene and Milton.”

Kesher Club is a high school club whose mission is to help local and global communities through fundraisers, volunteering, or donation drives. In the past, Kesher has organized events such as a fundraiser for Mental Health Month, where they donated to Teen Line, a Pink Day for Breast Cancer Awareness, and a clothing drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

The club plans on hosting a fundraiser where they will be selling candy during Aruchat Esser and lunch. Senior Talia Herbst, one of Kesher’s vice presidents, elaborated, “We are selling all different types of snacks, cupcakes, and candy, with proceeds that we will donate [to the American Red Cross],” an emergency response and medical organization well-known nationally.

Come support the fundraiser tomorrow for Hurricane Milton. (Kesher Club Instagram)

Kassell explained that while the hurricane took place in Florida and thankfully did not reach New York, “Something like this, that does not affect us, is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness.” She continued, “Kesher itself means connection, and we are connected not only within our community but to other communities in this country and other communities around the world, so we like to think of ourselves as local and global.”

Herbst feels that “it's especially important to help out [those affected] and give them what they need. And…this is one thing that we can easily contribute [to]. It's so simple. Two dollars for candy goes a long way.”

You can support the Kesher Club’s fundraiser tomorrow by visiting the club's table outside the upper school faculty room.

Shir Levenson is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2022. Shir is currently a junior at Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: slevenson26@schechterli.org