As we all struggle to deal with social distancing and our efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19 VIRUS many members of our community have gone out of their way to help their neighbors. Allan Rosen is one of our heroes. Inspired by a quote he read in the Torah Tavlin, “no one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone”,” Allan started calling friends and neighbors at the start of the pandemic asking if he could pick up groceries or do errands for them.
Allan also lives by the “five second rule” of Mel Robbins, a world famous motivation speaker. Allan maintains, “If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it.” His most recent brainstorm came through his work as a volunteer paramedic with Hatzoloh Montreal. Allan noticed, that multiple COVID-19 patients were using sports drinks to hydrate themselves and/or being transported to the hospital because of electrolyte imbalance and anticipated that it could become an issue with the holiday of Passover approaching. That got Allan to spring into action. He approached the MK’s Kosher department, securing a Passover approval for Powerade and Gatorade. After receiving a major donation of PowerAde and Gatorade from Simi Wenger of Fooderie, members of the community were able to distribute the beverages to those in need. As Allan says, “small gestures can make a big difference.”