Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com
Fifty families in Bucks County became the recipients of $1,000 checks through a donation made by the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund.
The announcement was made in Bristol Township last Wednesday at the Veterans Highway office of the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), a non-profit organization that aims to reduce poverty and partner with the community to promote self-sufficiency.
“My biggest concern is doing everything I can to help other people,” Gene Epstein said. “Someone asked me this morning, why do you do it?”
“And I said, ‘well, it’s an addiction, but a good addiction’ because once you know the feeling of helping someone else that feeling becomes so good and you want to do everything to continue to do it,” he added.
Among those who received the money was Wayne, a local resident who had homeless for eight years until the nonprofit helped him get his own place this month.
Wayne told Gene Epstein he was grateful for his donation and how it will help him.
As Wayne rode his bicycle to the event, he got a flat tire, but he still made his way there.
Bryan, who received the money, explained how he and his wife are now in a more stable place after working on programs through the BCOC. He has even started a food pantry in Bucks County to help others.
The $1,000 checks to individuals was vetted through the BCOC.
BCOC’s Heather Foor speaking. (Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com)Heather Foor, BCOC’s director of client services, said that the “families receiving assistance through the gift were identified through our programs because they are actively working towards their goals.”
“Whether that’s maintaining housing, increasing income, completing education or training or navigating unexpected challenges,” Foor said. “We know that life doesn’t always happen on a neat timeline.”
“This funding is designed to meet families where they are and can be used for essentials like housing costs, utilities, food, transportation, or other basic needs,” she added. “Whatever will help relieve immediate pressure and allow families to keep moving forward.”
Erin Lukoss, executive director and CEO of the BCOC, said the donations announced last week were an example of when “compassion meets action” and will help those “meet basic needs and support their journey towards greater stability and economic mobility.”
BCOC’s Joe Cuozzo speaking as BCOC CEO and Executive Director Erin Lukoss and Gene Epstein look on. (Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com)“This is not just financial assistance,” Lukoss said. “It is an investment in people, in dignity, and in opportunity.”
“Today also reflects the heart of our mission at BCOC,” she added. “To help individuals and families achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency.”
The total donation made by the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund was $50,000. Gene said he recently sold a couple of his collector cars to go towards the donation.
Gene Epstein gets a hug from a woman after giving her a $1,000 donation. Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com“It will give them immediate help and get them out of a situation that sometimes seems insurmountable,” Epstein said.
Gene Epstein also thanked members of a local synagogue who made donations when they heard about the plan to help their neighbors.
Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia was also in attendance for the event. She noted how she was once a single mother with a low paying job and recognized the difference these donations can make.
Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com
Epstein explaining his ideas about giving. (Credit: John Cole/LevittownNow.com)Joe Cuozzo, BCOC’s director of development, offered words of thanks to Gene and Marlene for their longstanding relationship with the non-profit organization over a variety of initiatives that have included food distribution and donating cars.
“For many years, people have said BCOC is the best kept secret in Bucks County,” Lukoss said. “I don’t think we’re a secret, because we serve 50,000 people here, but I do know that when someone is having a hardship, when someone is struggling, I hope that you will make a referral, you will tell people to come to BCOC for help and we will do our best to always, to try and help people.”
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