A Helping Hand To Those Who Give Others A Helping Hand

The photo was taken on Manhattan Avenue (across from St Anthony’s Church) where Meller’s group sells such items from a sidewalk table run by Wieslaw Ciumin (left), a Pro-Life Homeless volunteer.
 
Twenty years ago, America’s voters picked Bill Clinton to be president of the United States after he kept on repeating, “It’s the economy, stupid.”
 
And  today, it’s again the economy that makes the work of Pro-Life Homeless so important. People who lose their jobs, get sick and can’t pay for food or even lose the roof over their heads, keep coming to Meller’s office asking for his help.
 
Meller tries to give them what they need.  Whatever he has on hand, he gives them.  Whatever has to be bought comes mostly from the money raised by the sidewalk sales.
 
Meller and his staff try to keep a high visibility in the local community to make everyone aware just how much the economic crisis has worsened for many of their neighbors.
 
As a member organization of the Downstate New York Division of the Polish American Congress, the umbrella organization of the Polish community, the Pro-Life Homeless message is heard and responded to.  Greenpoint’s non-Polish residents are beginning to hear the message whenever they pass the sidewalk table and try to find a bargain.
 
Like many other donors, Milewski and Szarejko looked around their closets and bookcases and found various items and books they realized they no longer needed.  Meller assured them the clothing will get to those who need it.  The rest will go on the table to be sold to someone looking for a bargain.
 
For Szarejko, a resident of Little Neck, this was the first time he personally visited Meller’s sidewalk table.  He said he was “impressed” by the bargains on that table.
 
Szarejko knows a bargain when he sees one because he owns an antique shop in upstate Woodstock.  “I saw some things on that table so underpriced that I was tempted to buy them myself.”
 
Meller hopes people of good will and warm heart will be thoughtful enough to think of the less fortunate and take a good look around their house for clothing or items they no longer need.  He reminds his donors that “one man’s junk may be another man’s treasure.”
 
Bring them over, he suggests, to the Manhattan Avenue table or the St. Vincent de Paul office at 861 Manhattan Avenue, Room #14 (corner of Milton Street) or call (718) 383-1580 for a pickup.
 
“And you may find something you could use at the sidewalk table outside our office.”
 
Contact:  Frank Milewski
              pacdny@verizon.net
              (516) 352-7125