Chaverim Stories

chaveirim rox! my car keeps stalling, and they always come to the rescue! i think they’re amazing. they dont let you pay them. you can only send a donation! olam chesed yibaneh

And how about this one:

Chaverim Of Queens Conducts Free Pre-Winter Auto Checkup

(Thursday, December 10th, 2009)

This past Sunday December 6th was a wonderful day for the Queens community. Chaverim of Queens, which was founded just under 2 years ago, in memory of Mr. Jack Friedman, held a Free Pre-Winter Auto Inspection for the Queens community.

Chaverim of Queens has responded to a few thousand calls already and is growing every day.

The Pre-Winter Auto Inspection was held at Maven Motors in Kew Gardens. Maven Motors, which is located at 121-02 Jamaica Avenue is not only known as a trustworthy and reliable mechanic, but has been involved in working with Chaverim of Queens since day one by providing training for all new members. They also have mechanics available (for Chaverim members) on a regular basis to answer questions in any severe type of emergency beyond the scope of the basic training.

The event was sponsored by Personal Touch Home Health Services and co-sponsored by the Vaad Harabonim of Queens.

The mechanics at Maven Motors together with about 15 members from Chaverim inspected many cars and anyone who needed to have immediate work done was able to have it done on the spot if they so chose. Tires were filled with air, bulbs were replaced if necessary, and most cars received new windshield wipers free of charge.

Throughout the day, local police officers stopped by to say hello and were really impressed with what was being done. It truly was a tremendous kiddush hashem. Councilman Jim Gennaro who has also been a friend and supporter of Chaverim of Queens also stopped by to say a few kind words and of course to have his car inspected as well.

Refreshments, also sponsored by Personal Touch were served throughout the day to all participants, volunteers and of course the mechanics.

Chaverim of Queens is growing and is therefore always looking for new volunteers with day and night time availability. If you would like to join or know anyone who would like to join (or make a donation of any kind) please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 347-684-1155 to request an application and an interview.

YWN PHOTO LINK: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/photos.php?albumid=5413619879507820385

Chaveirim of Lakewood is holding its annual pre-summer safety inspection on Sunday, July 11th, from 4-8 pm in the Orchos Chaim parking lot (corner of Oberlin and Cedar Bridge). The purpose of this inspection is to check tires, fluids, blinkers, etc., on cars before people take time off for summer vacation and long drives, to ensure that they stay safe.

People here take Chaveirim for granted. I grew up in LA and had never heard of Chaveirim until after I was married and living on the East Coast. I couldn’t fathom calling a frum guy to come help you change your tire or let you into your house. I have never managed to lock my keys in the car or house and automatically think of calling AAA to help if my car breaks down. I think that people tend to be more careless because they know they have someone to rely on!

Now, from the wife of a Chaveirim member: it’s beautiful that people are posting their stories up here. It’s really nice to see that people appreciate Chaveirim’s work and selflessness. My husband just happens to be one of the members who assisted in the Sheva Brachos story in the OP’s post.

This should be a lesson for all those people who expect Chaveirim to come right away, who yell at members when they are unable to help them or take “too long” to come, who don’t even look at the member or thank them, who are not waiting with their car or at their door when the member arrives, who are overall unpleasant and ungrateful (or downright rude), who give the members their outrageous stories to share when they are together…

Remember that Chaveirim is there purely as a chesed to you. All members are volunteers and the dispatcher cannot tell you when someone will be available to help you. They are helping you out of the goodness of their hearts. Nobody is paid. The ENTIRE organization, from their members to their dispatchers to their board members to their graphic designer, works for free. Your donations are sorely needed to support this organization and pay for their equipment.

Thanks for reading!

-The proud wife of a Chaveirim member

smartcookie, you have no idea. You should hear the stories these guys swap when they get together. When I have time later I’ll post more, bli neder!

Funny question:

How does one go about volunteering for Chaverim??

Call up the one in your neighborhood and tell them you want to join. They’ll take it from there.

Did she really add -“fix my flat during the time that I’m in the store when I come out I expect u will be done”? Or did your friend perhaps exaggerate to make the story juicy? I doubt she used the tone that you are conveying, noone talks that way.

I once got a call from a teenager who wanted us to start his parent’s car. His parents went away and took the car keys to keep him from driving.

I told the guy that it was a good try, and it’s good he’s being honest, but no luck on his request.

ok so here is a funny but 100% true story- chaveirim get a call from a lady stating she has a flat tire, she goes on to say that really its not a big deal cuz only the bottom half of the tire is flat so if someone can maybe come and just rotate it she can be on her way!

Any time a Chaveirim member shows up to help someone is considered a “success story” whether or not the member is successful in helping you out. (The success part of it is beyond a member’s control most of the time).

What do you think? 🙂

Didn’t realize how much they do until I joined them last week. Go chaverim!